Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAllies of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham claim Downing Street is involved in a plot to undermine his bid to return to Parliament via the Makerfield by-election. Concerns have been raised that the Labour leadership may offer only 'soft-play' support for Burnham, while some MPs suggest he could bring back former leader Jeremy Corbyn, who was expelled in 2024. Polling experts, including Professor Sir John Curtice and Lord Robert Hayward, predict Burnham would become the next Labour leader if he secures victory in Makerfield. Sir Keir Starmer has pledged '100 per cent' support for the Labour candidate in the by-election but has refused to set a timetable for his own departure as leader. Lord Hayward suggested that comments by Wes Streeting about rejoining the EU could jeopardise Burnham's chances in the strongly pro-Leave Makerfield constituency, while allies of the prime minister believe Burnham's diverse support base is already fracturing. In fullDowning Street accused of plot to derail Andy Burnham’s by-election hopesThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Greater Manchester mayor to stand for Parliament again but will face tough competition from Reform UK

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