Andy Burnham’s Prospective Westminster Return and North West Election Fallout

Sources say allies of Mayor Andy Burnham have approached Labour MPs with the prospect of peerages in return for resigning, creating a vacancy for Burnham to contest a Westminster seat. Seats cited include Bootle (Peter Dowd), Warrington North (Charlotte Nichols), St Helens South (Marie Rimmer) and Rusholme (Afzal Khan). Burnham’s camp denies any such proposals, noting he cannot award peerages until he becomes prime minister.

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The 2024 North West local elections delivered heavy losses for Labour, with forecasts of up to 2,000 council seats lost nationwide. Reform UK became the largest winner, while the Green Party gained at Labour’s expense. Analysts, citing Professor Sir John Curtice, warned that Labour’s vote erosion to the Greens can indirectly aid Reform, a development described as “dire” for Burnham’s regional standing.

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• Andy Burnham – Mayor of Greater Manchester, potential Westminster candidate.

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• Sir Keir Starmer – Labour leader.

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• Labour NEC – Blocked Burnham’s Gorton and Denton candidacy.

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• Peter Dowd, Charlotte Nichols, Marie Rimmer, Afzal Khan – MPs cited.

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• Compass – Think-tank backing Burnham’s policy direction.

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• Professor Sir John Curtice – Elections analyst.

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• Reform UK and Green Party – Gaining at Labour’s expense.

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Burnham’s allies publicly deny any peerage offers, noting he cannot grant honours without becoming prime minister. The Labour NEC reaffirmed its earlier block of Burnham’s Gorton and Denton candidacy. Compass countered criticism by citing a “progressive majority” among centre-left voters. No MP has confirmed a seat-vacancy deal.

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Labour MPs dismissed the peerage talk as “complete bollocks” and “wishful thinking.” A Starmer-supporting MP said the election results “don’t really help him” and called the situation “pretty dire.” Critics warned that even as leader early policy choices would likely be unpopular.

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Sources differ on whether any MP has been formally approached, and the list of targeted constituencies varies across reports. While some accounts name specific MPs, others assert that no seats were ever under genuine consideration. The absence of confirmed offers leaves the alleged peerage scheme unverified.

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• “complete bollocks” — a Labour MP

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• “wishful thinking” — a Labour MP

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• “The detail of results doesn’t really help him,” — a Starmer-supporting MP

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• “It should be remembered that Labour may often lose seats to Reform because it is losing votes to the Greens, while the Conservatives are losing votes to Reform. The net effect can be that Labour end up losing a seat to Reform [as the party comes through the middle].” — Professor Sir John Curtice

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If Burnham secures a vacancy, a writ for a by-election would need to be moved after Parliament reconvenes for the King’s Speech. The Labour NEC’s stance on future candidacies remains uncertain, and ongoing analysis of the North West results will likely shape party strategy ahead of the next national election cycle.

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