Concerns have been raised that the Labour leadership may offer only ‘soft-play’ support for Burnham, while some MPs suggest he could bring back former leader Jeremy Corbyn, who was expelled in 2024.
Polling experts, including Professor Sir John Curtice and Lord Robert Hayward, predict Burnham would become the next Labour leader if he secures victory in Makerfield.
Sir Keir Starmer has pledged ‘100 per cent’ support for the Labour candidate in the by-election but has refused to set a timetable for his own departure as leader.
Lord Hayward suggested that comments by Wes Streeting about rejoining the EU could jeopardise Burnham’s chances in the strongly pro-Leave Makerfield constituency, while allies of the prime minister believe Burnham’s diverse support base is already fracturing.
