Andy Burnham’s long coup: the chaotic year-long project to return him to Westminster
Story of the key figures, decisions, planning and missteps in push to line up Greater Manchester mayor for PM
TL;DR
- The movement to bring Andy Burnham back to Westminster began with a keynote speech at a Compass conference in May 2025.
- Key figures involved in the project included Louise Haigh, Anneliese Midgley, Josh Simons, Neal Lawson, and Steve Rotheram.
- Multiple attempts were made to secure a parliamentary seat for Burnham, with Gorton and Denton initially appearing promising but ultimately faltering.
- The Makerfield constituency was eventually chosen as Burnham's path back to parliament, viewed as a symbolic win in a Reform target seat.
- Burnham's successful election in Makerfield and Keir Starmer's subsequent resignation paved the way for Burnham's potential leadership bid.