Burnham allies confident of No 10 ‘coronation’ after surge in backers

Allies of Andy Burnham are increasingly confident of a coronation-style transfer of power after the number of MPs backing his planned leadership bid surged following his byelection victory. Burnham and his team are understood to have spent the last few days enlisting the support of MPs and ministers, as he prepares to challenge Keir Starmer in the coming weeks. It was reported on Friday that, after his triumph in the Makerfield byelection, where he comfortably saw off the threat of Reform UK, Burnham’s team were hoping for 200 nominations , about half of the parliamentary party. However, one minister said that figure was now “in the dust”, while another added that it was “logical” that the number of backers would be closer to 300, which could complicate a challenge from Wes Streeting . The former Greater Manchester mayor is hoping to have enough support to dislodge Starmer from Downing Street without the need for a lengthy leadership contest. However, an uncontested takeover is not favoured by all MPs, some of whom want the new Makerfield MP to face the “scrutiny” of his ideas being “put through the ringer” in a leadership contest. Streeting and Burnham are expected to speak this weekend but sources close to the former health secretary insisted he also had the numbers to challenge Starmer and remained determined to do so, although they added that Streeting would not trigger a contest this weekend in order to allow the prime minister to “reflect on his position”. …