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Andy Burnham has plan to return to Westminster ‘within weeks’, allies say

Labour’s ruling body from running in February’s Gorton and Denton byelection](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jan/25/andy-burnham-blocked-from-byelection-race-by-labour-ruling-committee), has identified several seats where MPs are prepared to step aside for his leadership bid. In a sign that

‘It’s Andy or bust’: could Burnham’s return to parliament save Starmer?

rules-based order in the [Labour](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/labour) party to ensure we always move too late,” said one MP. Another said: “I am not sure the brand damage would be recoverable from

Where does Starmer’s leadership stand – and who are his potential challengers?

leadership contest. Photograph: Adam Vaughan/EPA ## **Angela** **R****ayner** Rayner has spent the eight months since she quit the cabinet over her tax affairs walking a line between loyalty and interventionism, regularly reminding Labour colleagues

Unhappy Labour MPs aren't ready to oust Starmer yet

leadership contest, but culminated in declarations of loyalty from ministers. "What it proved was neither Wes nor Angie were ready for it. I was waiting for a call (from Steeting's team) and it never

‘Starmer’s referendum’: How local elections could expose a fractured UK

rule, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing a tough stress test. His Labour Party on Thursday will battle local and devolved elections under mounting political pressure. Voters across England, Wales and Scotland are expected

Starmer under pressure as Labour suffers heavy election losses including historic Wales defeat

rule, while the SNP appears likely to remain the largest party in Scotland. Reform UK has been the big winner in England, picking up more than 1,400 seats and taking control of councils

Plaid Cymru tipped to be biggest party in Senedd, ending 100 years of Labour control

leadership, and she “took responsibility” for the people “rejecting Welsh Labour”. “We owe it to the people of Wales to listen. To understand. And to rebuild,” she said. Labour’s rout in Wales is seismic

Labour expected to lose Senedd after century of winning elections in Wales

rule in Wales. The party has won Westminster and Cardiff Bay elections in the country for more than a century, but opinion polls have suggested Plaid Cymru and Reform UK are both vying

Challenge Starmer by Monday or I will, Labour MP tells cabinet

contest. "My preferred option is for the cabinet to do a reshuffle within itself, where there's plenty of talent, and for Keir to be given a different role, which he might enjoy, perhaps

‘No other plan comes close’: Labour MPs turn to Burnham as pressure mounts on Starmer

ruled out supporting Burnham because of his closeness with Ed Miliband, who is at odds with the union over oil and gas licences. “It would only happen if Keir effectively gave up and said