Burnham has 'no plan to abandon Greater Manchester'

Andy Burnham has said he has "no intention of abandoning" his work as the mayor of Greater Manchester after speculation about a potential challenge for the Labour leadership.

The former Labour minister has not ruled out challenging Sir Keir Starmer but said a decision about any change in leadership was up to Labour MPs.

He told a BBC Radio Manchester phone-in earlier: "My head is here, I want everyone listening to the hot seat to know that."

Burnham said he had "no intention of abandoning what we're trying to build here" and he was "completely committed to the region".

Asked what he would say to Greater Manchester constituents convinced he was about to leave his role, he said: "I love everything about this job. I love what's happening here in Greater Manchester. I'm completely committed to it."

He has served as the region's mayor since he was elected in 2017, and was re-elected in both 2021 and 2024.

Andy Burnham says he remains committed to the region where he has served a mayor since 2017

Burnham said he had not been trying to undermine the prime minister after his recent criticisms of the government, where he called for a "wholesale" change in approach.

He said he would not "toe the line" or "be quiet" about issues important to Greater Manchester and would "speak directly".

Burnham also said people in the north west of England did not currently feel the government was "ready to improve people's lives here".

He pointed to the announcement of further delays to the Northern Powerhouse Rail project as an example of that frustration.

"We need to get the people back behind the Labour government," he said.