Guido hears Andy Burnham is exploring a few creative ways to get into the Commons. Anyone want to be the mayor of Manchester?
Labour sources say the PM-hopeful is offering ‘job-swaps’ to MPs in exchange for them standing down. He’d support their ascension to his mayoralty…
Jim McMahon’s name has cropped up. The sacked minister has a reason to work against Starmer and his Labour-heavy Oldham West and Royton seat works for Burnham. Andy only has one shot so he needs a super-safe seat…
Labour sources say Nandy in Wigan or Lucy Powell in Manchester Central are contenders but unlikely to take any deal. Powell in particular fancies herself a rising star…
Burnham’s term as mayor expires in May 2028. He needs to move fast – this year – otherwise it doesn’t make sense to blow up the mayoralty just before the term ends…
Red Wall Labour backbencher Jonathan Brash told GB News that Starmer should resign:
“I’m completely fed up about it, and I think it’s got to the point now where I genuinely think that, as far as the Prime Minister is concerned, it’s not a case of if, it’s when.”