Andy Burnham can save Labour and defeat Reform. He should be the next prime minister | Neal Lawson

"The best-placed figure in Britain to lead Labour away from these twin disasters is the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. The Labour party must now do what it takes to ensure that Burnham is available to be the next leader of the party and the country. This must start with an urgent statement from its ruling national executive committee (NEC) saying that if Burnham wanted to fight any direct vacancy then he would be allowed through for local members to decide whether they wanted him as their candidate, alongside a timetable that allows him to enter the contest."

"There are two reasons why Burnham is the best choice to lead Labour: his popularity and his plan. Unsurprisingly, the two are linked. It would be nice to think that Labour MPs would gravitate to Burnham because he has a considered view of how to transform the British state and its economy. We'll come to that. But it's his popularity that will motivate them. Put plainly, Burnham is electoral gold dust."

"Because of who he is and what he's done locally in the north-west, but also nationally his poll ratings are streets ahead of everyone else. He is the only major politician in the country who enjoys positive favourability ratings. All the rest, including any potential competitors for the Labour crown, poll negatively. Meanwhile, 34% of the public think Burnham would be a better prime minister than Starmer significantly higher than any other Labour contender."

"Further polling by Stack Data Strategy, reported in the Times, shows that 34% of current Green and 19% of Reform voters would be more likely to vote Labour if Burnham was prime minister. This would suggest, according to the company's director, Aaron Iftikhar, that Burnham has the clearest path to"

The Labour party faces two major risks: potential losses after the next election and the possibility of a Reform-led government alongside a Trump-like future. Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, is presented as the best figure to lead Labour away from these outcomes. Labour is urged to act quickly to ensure Burnham can enter the leadership contest, including an NEC statement allowing him to run for any direct vacancy and a timetable enabling local members to choose him. Burnham is described as electoral “gold dust” due to strong popularity and positive favourability ratings, unlike other major politicians who poll negatively. Polling is cited showing many voters, including some Green and Reform supporters, would be more likely to vote Labour if Burnham became prime minister.

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