Andy Burnham pulls out of BBC Radio Manchester slot as Labour leadership speculation grows

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has pulled out of his regular BBC Radio Manchester phone-in slot amid mounting speculation he is preparing a return to Westminster and a possible Labour leadership bid.

Burnham was due to appear on the station’s long-running Hotseat programme this week, but a spokesperson said he had to “prioritise discussions arising from last week’s local elections.”

The move comes amid intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer following heavy local election losses and the resignation of four ministers.

It also follows Burnham’s withdrawal from another major Manchester engagement earlier this week, first reported by Prolific North, after he pulled out as keynote speaker at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association conference at Manchester Central.

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The organisation said at the time: “We have been informed by Andy Burnham’s office that he is no longer able to join us at The BIBA Conference. We hope you understand that this is entirely out of our control.”

A spokesperson for Burnham told the BBC: “As you know, Andy doesn’t like to miss the Hotseat.

“But this week, to get the best deal for Greater Manchester, he has to prioritise discussions arising from last week’s local elections.”

Speculation has continued to build around Burnham’s political future following Labour’s difficult local election results, with the Greater Manchester mayor increasingly being discussed as a potential future leadership contender.

Burnham was also the only major politician to record a net positive approval rating in YouGov’s April polling, according to Prolific North’s earlier reporting.

The mayor would need to become an MP before mounting any leadership challenge, with rumours circulating that a Labour MP in Greater Manchester could step aside to trigger a by-election.

However, both Afzal Khan and Geoff Smith have denied reports they would vacate their seats.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Wes Streeting and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner have also been linked with possible future leadership ambitions.

Rayner told ITV she would not make a pact with Burnham to challenge the prime minister.

“I’m not doing deals or anything like that,” she said.

Burnham’s next scheduled high-profile public appearance is due to take place next week at J2 Marketing Day in Manchester.