Overview

• Burnham told the Telegraph that Labour MPs contacted him over the summer urging a leadership bid, while saying he is not plotting an immediate return to Westminster.
• He called for 'wholesale change' and accused No 10 of fostering a 'climate of fear', warning of an 'existential' threat unless the party resets at conference.
• His policy package includes higher council tax on expensive southern homes, a 50p top income tax rate alongside cuts for lower earners, £40bn borrowing to build council houses, and greater public control of energy, water and rail.
• He backed proportional representation and signalled openness to working with the Liberal Democrats and Jeremy Corbyn’s project to build a broader progressive bloc.
• Any move to challenge Starmer would require Burnham to resign as mayor, win a by-election and secure around 80 MP nominations, with Labour frontbenchers dismissing the speculation as 'tittle-tattle'.