Burnham plots comeback to Parliament, testing Starmer's grip

Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester's mayor and a potential Starmer leadership rival, says he will seek a vacant parliamentary seat to return to Parliament, pledging to support the government rather than undermine it. His bid for the Gorton and Denton seat faces Labour internal hurdles and uncertain odds, with Starmer allies reportedly able to block him; Labour won the seat in 2024, and some polls show Reform UK ahead in the constituency, complicating Burnham's path to a comeback and a possible leadership challenge.