Andy Burnham, the current mayor of Greater Manchester, reportedly wants someone like Gary Neville to succeed him in his role. This comes amidst rumours that Burnham may be planning a return to parliament following the vacancy left by Andrew Gwynne in the constituency of Gorton and Denton.
Burnham, affectionately known as the 'King of the North', has been at the helm of Greater Manchester since 2017. His potential departure from this role could pave way for his return to parliament as an MP. Some speculate that this move might eventually lead him to challenge Keir Starmer for Labour premiership.
An insider from Labour party reportedly told i Paper about Burnham's preference for his successor. According to them, "If you’re Andy it’s better to have the promise of a big gun rather than popping some unknown council leader on the ballot as mayoral candidate."
Why Gary Neville?
Gary Neville is not just a former professional footballer but also an active member of Labour party who appeared with Starmer in an election party political broadcast. His popularity and influence could potentially make him a strong candidate for mayorship.
The insider further added: “I think he [Burnham] has somebody in mind in shape of Gary Neville." However, they expressed uncertainty over how party members would respond if such a decision was made.
As intriguing as these speculations are, there is yet no official confirmation or response from either parties involved - neither from Burnham nor from Neville himself regarding these rumours. While it remains uncertain whether or not Gary Neville will step into politics full-time and take up mayoral duties if offered; one thing is clear - such a move would certainly add another interesting chapter both in Manchester's political landscape and sports history.
