
Starmer faces leadership crisis as Burnham allies plot Westminster return after May elections
Senior Labour MPs are actively plotting to replace Keir Starmer with Andy Burnham after May 7 elections, with allies of the Greater Manchester mayor saying his return to Westminster could happen within weeks. Burnham has been quietly preparing a manifesto including electoral reform and higher defence spending. The mood among Labour MPs is described as 'existential' following damaging headlines over Peter Mandelson's failed security vetting, with projections of heavy losses including over 1,600 seats in England.