Left-wing Labour MPs are considering standing a candidate against Andy Burnham in a Labour leadership contest, should he find his way back to Westminster.
Concerns have mounted the Greater Manchester mayor could abandon the party's more progressive position in an attempt to broaden his appeal, which could prove problematic for the party.
Some MPs have complained about Mr Burnham's stance on immigration reforms, single-sex spaces, and EU relations, citing the damage he could do to the party's image.
Mr Burnham is likely to launch a leadership bid against Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer should he win the Makerfield by-election on June 18, although he faces a tough challenge from Reform UK to even secure a seat and get the ball rolling on plans.
One name floated as a candidate to rival Mr Burnham was Richard Burgon, the MP for Leeds East and a former frontbencher under Jeremy Corbyn, according to The Times.
Other possible contenders include Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Olivia Blake and Clive Lewis, although none have publicly indicated any desire to stand in a leadership race.
A Labour source said the problem was "not that someone like Burgon wins", but rather a fear the consensus of party members could shift further left.
"If Andy is forced to spend six weeks talking about Gaza, then he comes out of it weaker, and the party looks like it has learnt nothing", an insider said.
Some MPs have complained about Andy Burnham's stance on immigration reforms, single-sex spaces, and EU relations
|GETTY
The threat of a progressive leadership challenger could cause senior party officials to make the case for Mr Burnham's swift appointment to avoid any prolonged contest and restore the status quo.
Meanwhile, one MP on the left of the party described "increasing frustration" with Mr Burnham being "portrayed as the saviour of the left when he’s nothing of the sort".
They confirmed discussions had taken place about fielding a candidate to "try to force him into more progressive positions".
Scores of Labour MPs have called for the Prime Minister to stand down in the wake of the council election losses earlier this month.
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Mr Burnham is among a string of party colleagues pitched to challenge for premiership, provided he receives support from a minimum of 81 supporters to pass the threshold required to launch a challenge.
Other candidates floated include former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, former health secretary Wes Streeting, and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
For Mr Burnham to even be eligible to challenge Sir Keir, he would first need to be a member of parliament – hence his candidacy in the Makerfield by-election after party colleague Josh Simmons stepped down.
Andy Burnham continues to campaign in Makerfield, the first hurdle of his leadership bid | GETTYEarlier polls suggested the scale had tipped towards the Greater Manchester mayor.
Nevertheless, support for Mr Burnham could shift after it was revealed he claimed more than £17,000 in freebies during his time as Manchester mayor.
According to The Sun, Mr Burnham accepted free tickets, gifts and payments for speeches during his tenure as mayor, which critics argue tarnishes his public image, portraying him as a "man of the people".
In addition to his £118,267 salary, Mr Burnham is said to have received tickets or hospitality worth a total of £17,059 over 17 occasions between June 2024 and March 2026.
It comes as it was revealed he has also been renting out a London flat worth £480,000, which hinders his popularity in an era of resentment towards "out of touch" political leaders.
Suspended Labour veteran MP Diane Abbott said of Mr Burnham: “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss."
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