See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 10:01 BST, 1 June 2026 | Updated: 10:10 BST, 1 June 2026
Andy Burnham unveiled his own logo today amid a mounting backlash that he is acting like he is already the PM. The Greater Manchester Mayor's branding features a clenched fist with the slogan 'Change Labour, keep the faith'. In keeping with Mr Burnham's 'King of the North' styling, it is based on the symbol for the Northern Soul music movement. The image - expected to be used on beer mats - was unveiled as criticism builds that the former Cabinet minister is taking the Makerfield by-election for granted. Labour insiders have voiced concern that his allies are already 'wargaming' a snap general election if he has a honeymoon period in No10, and assembling a fantasy Cabinet.Mr Burnham has been reposting praise of his 'class' 53-minute 10k time, after posing for photos flexing his muscles before starting the charity run in Manchester yesterday. He was showing off his bee tattoo, which is a symbol of the city. Andy Burnham posed for photos flexing his muscles before starting the charity run in Manchester yesterday The Greater Manchester Mayor's branding features a clenched fist with the slogan 'Change Labour, keep the faith'Mr Burnham has been making little secret of his intention to challenge Sir Keir, who is fighting to cling on following a wave of anger after disastrous local elections.In a campaign video last week Mr Burnham told Makerfield voters they could make the constituency the 'most powerful in the land' by putting him in the Commons.He has insisted he is not taking the by-election on June 18 for granted, with Labour and Reform engaged in a 'dog fight' for the seat. The only poll of the campaign so far has shown the parties effectively neck and neck, despite Mr Burnham's name recognition in the Greater Manchester area. Labour MPs have reacted nervously to reports that Mr Burnham's team is 'wargaming' an early general election if he enters No10 and gets a poll bounce.A loyalist Labour MP told the Daily Mail that the plotting could backfire by solidifying support for Sir Keir.'Hopefully it might make colleagues pause for thought,' the MP said. A senior Labour source suggested Mr Burnham was getting ahead of himself by talking about what he would do as PM.The source said: 'Surely their answer to every question - about future elections, policies or Cabinet appointments - should be: 'Our sole focus is on winning this by-election, everything else depends on that, and nothing else is worth discussing until that has been achieved.''The Tories said Mr Burnham looked 'cocky', comparing his behaviour to Neil Kinnock's notoriously triumphalist Sheffield rally, shortly before Labour lost the 1992 general election. There are claims Buckingham Palace has been approached to establish whether there would be any constitutional objections to a second King's Speech being held later this year. In keeping with Mr Burnham's 'King of the North' styling, it is based on the symbol for the Northern Soul music movement Mr Burnham has been reposting praise of his 'class' 53-minute 10k time
