Burnham refuses to rule out challenging Starmer for leadership

Since an MP announced that he would vacate his position so that the Greater Manchester mayor can return to Westminster, Andy Burnham has consistently failed to rule out a Labour leadership bid. Burnham has been at the center of rumors surrounding a move against Sir Keir Starmer sinceLabour's fall conference, but he could only do so if he was an MP under Labour Party legislation. Clive Lewis, a Norwich South MP, said on Wednesday that he was prepared to step down to allow Burnham to return to the Commons by a by-election. Burnham was grilled on BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 4's Today show, and BBC Radio Manchester, but he would only say he is fully focused on his current position as mayor when he was asked.

Naga Munchetty, the host of BBC Breakfast, tried to convince Burnham that he will see out his full term as mayor, despite running until 2028.

I don't know what the world holds, but I'm focused on my work here in Greater Manchester,

he said. Pushed further, he said, I haven't launched any leadership challenge before adding,

This morning, I'm not going to sit here and rule out what might or will not happen in the future.

I don't know what the future will look like. Burnham chastised journalists for speculating, saying he is constantly answering hypothetical questions and that Westminster MPs are

consistently questioning rather than presenting solutions

and claiming that Westminster Any leadership challenge state that candidates must be an MP and also secure the support of at least 80 MPs to run against the incumbent, according to Labour Party rules. Andrew Gwynne and Graham Stringer, two Manchester MPs, had previously been barred from resigning from their positions in order to run, so Burnham could have been elected. Lewis told BBC's Politics Live on Wednesday that stepping aside for Burnham was a question I've asked myself, adding that the answer would have to be

yes. The MP, who has been representing Norwich South for ten years, told The Sunhe had

no plans to stand downand was answering ahypothetical question. Sir Keir's position as Prime Minister was untenable, according to Channel 4 News, Burnham should have the opportunity to

step up. On the Today show, host Emma Barnett asked Burnham whether he'd take Lewis up on his offer of vacating a seat, but he would only say

I appreciate the help

and reiterated how he was focusing on his current work.

You could put this to bed now,BBC Radio Manchester host Mike Sweeney said,I have no intention whatsoever of returning to parliamentand that isn't a statement made by you?I can't make a protest because I'm not a member of parliament,Burnham said.I'm also going to say I don't know what the future holds if an MP stood aside," he said. You just don't know do you? In front of everybody, no one goes into a cubicle and speculates about their own future. Burnham served as a cabinet and shadow cabinet minister under successive Labour leaders and made two unsuccessful Labour leadership bids before becoming Manchester mayor in 2017. Lewis first obtained his seat in 2015, and last year he increased his majority to more than 13,000. However, if he were to resign, any would-be successor would first have to win a selection race before a by-election was held.