Zoë Grünewald

Andy Burnham is a popular, autonomous figure.

He has a track record of delivering for the people of Manchester.

He has experience in government.

Equally, local members were cut out of the decision.

Andy Burnham has public trust.

He's widely liked, which if you're looking at Labour MPs or Labour politicians, there aren't many of them that are widely liked.

So it's not good for Keir Starmer.

I think it makes him look weak.

it makes him look like he's putting his own interests above that of the party.

And I was talking to MPs over the past few days.

They're not saying if Keir Starmer goes, they're saying when he goes.

The thing they're all waiting for is a viable candidate and a handover that looks...

coordinated and friendly rather than like a coup.

And I think a lot of people thought that Burnham was their best bet of doing this.

You know, at least they'd get someone in who was widely liked, who they think could take the fight to reform.

Keir Starmer has cut that off at the knees.

And I think this is going to happen, whether we like it or not.

Keir Starmer's going to go.

Now we don't know who the candidate is or when it's going to happen.

Okay, so there's been a bit of chatter about Angela Rayner since Burnham has been blocked, right?