Burnham will try again for Westminster return but declines offer of seat in 2027

Greater Manchester mayor's hopes of imminent return as MP appear remote as relationship with Starmer at low ebb

Andy Burnham has not given up hopes of returning to Westminster and will try again, allies say, but would need to be convinced that Keir Starmer would not try to block him again before running.

The Greater Manchester mayor's hopes of an imminent return to parliament appeared remote, however, as No 10 sources suggested that relations between the two men were at a low ebb and played down chances of a rapprochement.