The PLP is looking to the future, after the May election, and who might replace Starmer if the results make his position untenable. While the number of Labor MPs who have publicly called for him to go remains small, many others have private doubts.
One interesting difference I’ve noticed is how the Raynerites and Burnhamites are congealing into one group. Until recent weeks, the differences between the two camps were stark, with Raynerites suspicious of some of Andy Burnham’s radical ideas, particularly his commitment to electoral reform, which he is notoriously stubborn about despite concerns on the soft left.
But in recent days, I have spoken to some of Rayner’s closest parliamentary allies, who now say Burnham should be allowed to return to parliament and take on the role of senior partner. This is partly the result of ruthless electoral logic by those who have decided that, with the party in a desperate state, Burnham may be their best means of keeping their seats – he still ranks as the most popular Labor politician in the country.
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It is also noted that the position of the Prime Minister is weaker than ever and can be further reduced very quickly, so strong plans must be made. I am told that the summit between Burnham and Rayner last weekend at the former deputy prime minister’s home in Manchester was the most serious meeting of this planning yet. In the words of another Manchester Laborite, Alex Ferguson, we are living in “tumultuous times”.
This piece first appeared in the Morning Call newsletter; get it every morning by subscribing to Substack here
(Further reading: NS Profile: Zack Polanski is still learning)
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