Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham: A Dynamic Duo for the Future of Labour
The Labour Party has been through a tumultuous few years, with multiple leadership changes and a devastating defeat in the 2019 general election. But amidst all the chaos, two figures have emerged as potential leaders who could steer the party towards a brighter future: Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham.
Starmer, the current leader of the Labour Party, has been making waves since taking over from Jeremy Corbyn in April 2020. With his sharp legal mind and calm demeanor, he has been able to unite the party and present a strong opposition to the Conservative government. And now, with the possibility of Burnham returning to Westminster, the Labour Party could have a powerful duo leading the charge.
Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has been a vocal critic of the current government and has never shied away from his desire to return to the House of Commons. And with the recent announcement of Andrew Gwynne’s resignation, a by-election in the Gorton and Denton seat has opened up, giving Burnham the opportunity to make his comeback.
However, Starmer has refused to publicly endorse Burnham’s potential return, stating that it is still early days and the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party will set out the process for the by-election. This is in line with Labour’s rules, which require the NEC to draw up a short-list of candidates before a by-election, with the final decision being made by local party officials.
But despite not giving a direct endorsement, Starmer has praised Burnham’s work as mayor of Manchester and their close working relationship. He also highlighted their joint efforts in responding to the tragic attack on a synagogue in Manchester and their collaboration on the Northern Powerhouse Rail project. Starmer also noted that Burnham has had a much better experience working with the current government compared to previous ones.
However, there are some within the Labour Party who believe that Burnham should not be allowed to return to Westminster. Senior Labour figures have told HuffPost UK that the NEC should block any attempts from Burnham to come back, with one stating that there is “zero” chance of him being shortlisted. But this sentiment has been met with backlash from Burnham’s supporters, who argue that he has a strong track record as an MP and would be a valuable asset to the party.
Burnham, who is seen as being on the soft-left of the Labour Party, was the MP for Leigh from 2001 to 2017. During his time in Parliament, he held multiple ministerial positions under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, and also served in the shadow cabinet under Jeremy Corbyn and Ed Miliband. His experience and expertise in government make him a strong candidate for the Gorton and Denton seat.
Despite the speculation surrounding his potential return, Burnham has not yet responded to the news of Gwynne’s resignation. One of his allies stated that they were not aware of any developments and were not in the loop. But with the by-election expected to be held on the same day as local elections on May 7, time is of the essence for Burnham to make a decision.
Some have accused Burnham of undermining the current government by backing a social media ban, but he has dismissed these claims as “rubbish”. And while there may be some within the Labour Party who are against his return, Burnham’s popularity among the public cannot be denied. He has been a strong and vocal advocate for the people of Greater Manchester, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has gained widespread support for his efforts.
In the end, the decision on whether Burnham will return to Westminster lies with the NEC and the local party officials in Gorton and Denton. But one thing is for sure, the potential pairing of Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham could be a game-changer for the Labour Party. With their combined experience, leadership, and vision for a better future, they could lead the party to success in the upcoming local elections and beyond.
