Andy Burnham has refused to rule out embarking on a leadership challenge against Sir Keir Starmer as Labour plunged to new depths in a damning new poll.
Polling from FindOutNowUK taken between September 17 and 18 had Nigel Farage's party on 34 per cent, with the Conservatives and Labour in joint second on 16 per cent.
In fourth are the Liberal Democrats on 13 per cent, with the Green Party just behind on 12 per cent.
Using the Electoral Calculus prediction, the numbers give Reform UK a majority of 264, with the Liberal Democrats becoming the official opposition on 52 seats, with Labour on 44.
In the backdrop of all this, the Greater Manchester Mayor has declined to say whether he would commit to seeing out his full mayoral term.
When asked by BBC, the former Health Secretary said it was his "full intention" to remain in his position as Manchester mayor until he is up for re-election in May 2028.
However, he added: "If events change, I'm not necessarily going to be stuck religiously in one way of thinking," adding the country was in "a reasonably turbulent place".
When pressed if he had ambitions for the Labour leadership, Burnham said he loved his job but added he had "never ruled out going back to Westminster".
A new campaigning group within the party, Mainstream, was launched by Mr Burnham earlier this month and could propel him to the top of the Labour Party
'Diplomatic efforts' underway to settle row between Your Party co-leaders
“Diplomatic efforts” are under way to settle the row that has engulfed Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana’s fledgling party, it is understood.
Sources close to the pair are allegedly seeking to mediate behind the scenes to salvage the future of Your Party.
It comes after Ms Sultana said on Thursday she had been subjected to a “sexist boys’ club” amid a dispute over a new membership system.
Abolishing two-child benefit cap is 'on the table' - Education Secretary
Abolishing the “spiteful” two-child benefit cap is “on the table”, Labour deputy leadership candidate Bridget Phillipson has said.
The Education Secretary told The Guardian she was “thinking every day about how to turn the tide on child poverty” due to her own experiences growing up.
Describing the issue as “profoundly personal”, she said she wanted a “mandate to go further” as deputy leader and “make tackling child poverty the unbreakable moral mission of this Labour Government”.
She said: “Everything is on the table, including removing the two-child limit.”
Third small boat migrant returned to France under 'one in one out' deal
An Iranian man has become the third person to be removed under Britain's return deal with France | REUTERSAn Iranian man has become the third person to be removed under Britain's return deal with France.
The man has been returned to France after crossing the English Channel in a small boat, according to Home Office sources.
This followed the removal of an Eritrean man earlier today after he lost a High Court bid to halt his removal.
An Indian national was deported yesterday.
SNP Minister forced to QUIT after being accused of assaulting Tory MSP in Parliament
Scottish Government minister Jamie Hepburn has resigned after being accused of "physically assaulting" Conservative MSP Douglas Ross.
The former Tory leader says Parliamentary Business Minister Jamie Hepburn attacked him as he left the chamber on Wednesday, after the pair clashed over the scheduling of a summit on what Mr Ross called “out of control” seagulls.
Mr Hepburn admits he put a hand on Ross’s shoulder and “used a few choice words”, but insists that was the extent of it.
Assisted dying bill passes second reading in House of Lords
The second reading was passed in the House of Lords after a 12-hour debate
|PARLIAMENT TV/PA
Assisted dying in England and Wales has moved a step closer after proposed legislation passed the second reading stage in the House of Lords.
Peers supported the second reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill today after a debate lasting 12 hours across two days.
The second reading was nodded through, meaning no vote was taken – as is usual for this stage of legislation in the House of Lords.
The Bill is now expected to undergo further scrutiny by a select committee before returning to the Lords, likely later this year.
Chris Philp blasts 'pathetic' removal of two migrants under UK-France return deal
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the Government’s removal of two migrants under its returns deal with France was “pathetic, and boasting about it is absurd”.
The Tory frontbencher said: “Hundreds of illegal immigrants crossed the Channel today alone and Labour want applause for removing just two – both of whom will be replaced.
“Since their meagre returns deal was announced, over 10,000 have crossed the Channel. Removing only two is pathetic and boasting about it is absurd.
“A scheme that will ultimately let 94 per cent of illegal immigrants stay here will have no deterrent effect whatsoever. Immigrants in France are openly saying they don’t care and will come anyway.
“This weak Government is run by human rights lawyers. Keir Starmer and Lord Hermer have always sided with open borders activists over security and control.
“The Government should urgently adopt our Deportation Bill to dis-apply the Human Rights Act from immigration matters, deport all illegal arrivals immediately on arrival, close the loopholes exploited by activist lawyers and put in place a real deterrent.
“But they are too weak to do this, and as a result the Labour Government has lost control of our borders.”
'Smoke and mirrors!' Ex-Tory MP calls on Keir Starmer to send the military into the Channel to deal with the migrant crisis
James Sunderland has launched a furious tirade on Sir Keir Starmer as more than 800 migrants are predicted to cross the Channel into Britain before the weekend.
Speaking to GB News, the ex-Tory MP hit out at Labour's "one in, one out" migrant exchange deal and declared the Prime Minister's tactics are "smoke and mirrors".
The Home Office today confirmed that a second migrant was returned to France on a "one in, one out" deportation flight, despite previously having his removal blocked by the High Court.
However, GB News can reveal that at least 800 others are currently crossing the English Channel on small boats, set to arrive as soon as today.
Mark White's Migration Monitor: Labour's returns deal defanged by legal challenges and Mother Nature
Migrants were seen entering the waters in the early hours of this morning
|PA
GB News Home and Security Editor Mark White has said Labour's returns deal has been dealt a serious blow by legal challenges.
Mark wrote: "The UK's new deal with France was never expected to see anything other than a very modest number crossing this week, with no more than about 40 migrants earmarked for a trip back across the Channel.
"But the inevitable legal challenges by the lawyers, NGOs and charities meant that the modest first week of returns was reduced even further, to not even a trickle."
David Lammy says he hopes to see migrant returns 'grow over the coming months'
David Lammy said the Government hopes to see migrant returns “grow over the coming months and years”.
The former Foreign Secretary said: "It has been very important to increase the numbers of people that we are returning to the countries from which they are from, and that’s gone up 14 per cent.
"I played an important role in that as Foreign Secretary and that work must continue.
"This pilot with France is a milestone because it sends an immediate deterrent to people, many of them coming obviously across the water, that we will send them back and it is our hope to see that grow over the coming months and years because we have to bear down on the gangs and we have to smash the model effectively and we have to ensure that those who do not have a right to be here are sent back to the countries from which they are from."
Richard Tice launches scathing attack on Keir Starmer as second 'one in, one out' migrant is deported to France
Richard Tice has launched a scathing attack on Labour's "one in, one out" deal with France after a second migrant was successfully removed, sarcastically declaring "well done!".
Speaking to GB News, the Deputy Leader of Reform UK called on Sir Keir Starmer to "get real and get tough" on migration, otherwise Britons will become "angrier and angrier".
Greens hit membership landmark - 'People are hungry for bold politics'
The Green Party has announced it has reached 75,000 members as the Jeremy Corbyn-led Your Party remains mired in legal issues.
It comes as the insurgent party managed to gain a seat on Brighton and Hove Council in the Queen's Park ward, with Marina Lademacher beating Labour's Simon Charleton in the south coast showdown.
Party leader Zack Polanski said: "Hitting 75,000 members is more than just a milestone; it’s proof that people are hungry for bold politics.
"While the old parties tinker around the edges, The Green Party is growing fast because we are unapologetic about demanding real change: taxing the super-rich, funding our NHS, and tackling the climate crisis head-on."
Keir Starmer says news of release of elderly British couple is a 'huge relief'
Peter and Barbara Reynolds, who had been in custody in Afghanistan, sit with Qatari and British diplomats
|REUTERS
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed the news an elderly British couple have been freed from months of detention in Afghanistan.
In a statement he said: "I welcome the release of Peter and Barbara Reynolds from detention in Afghanistan, and I know this long-awaited news will come as a huge relief to them and their family.
"I want to pay tribute to the vital role played by Qatar, including The Amir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, in securing their freedom."
Nigel Farage bags historic win as Reform UK defeats Labour in key battleground for the first time EVER
Reform UK managed to gain its first council seat in Cardiff, comfortably seeing off a spy plot to win the Trowbridge by-election.
Nigel Farage's party picked up the seat in the east of the Welsh capital, with Labour pushed into third place by the Liberal Democrats.
The result was one of five council by-elections which took place overnight, where some of the results will be grim reading for an already under-fire Sir Keir Starmer.
GB News has taken a look at who were the winners and losers overnight.
Britons still show massive support for Palestinian statehood, new poll suggests
The new polling from YouGov on Palestinian statehood
|YOUGOV
Public support for the recognition of Palestinian statehood continues to significantly outweigh opposition, a new poll suggests.
The YouGov survey, conducted on 17-18 September, finds that 44 per cent say that the UK government should recognise Palestine as an independent state, while only 18 per cent disagree, with 37 per cent unsure.
Support is especially high among Green, Labour and Liberal Democrat voters.
Tory voters tend to oppose recognising Palestinian statehood by 34 per cent to 26 per cent, with Reform UK voters more emphatically doing so by 45 per cent to 17 per cent.
Labour councillor sparks explosive row after telling GB News guest to 'celebrate' migrant deportations
A Labour councillor has been blasted for his "condescending" remarks after telling broadcaster Dr Renee Hoenderkamp to "celebrate" the Government deporting two migrants to France.
Debating the "one in, one out" migrant exchange deal, Dr Hoenderkamp argued that there should be "no one" entering Britain as the country is "full".
The Home Office has confirmed that the first two migrants under the exchange deal have been flown to France from Heathrow Airport.
Andy Burnham: From Aintree to Downing Street?
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who regularly polls as one of the most popular senior figures in Labour, could make a return to Westminster, challenging the under fire Sir Keir Starmer.
Allies close to Mr Burnham, who served as the MP for Leigh from 2001 to 2017, had been exploring ways to get the former Health Secretary a parliamentary seat at the next general election, reports Guido Fawkes.
It has also been suggested he may throw his hat in the ring for any leadership challenge that may arise, should a vacancy appear.
A new faction within Labour, Mainstream, launched earlier this month with the backing of the Greater Manchester Mayor, raising concerns about Sir Keir's leadership following the botched appointment of Lord Mandelson as US Ambassador.
Mainstream's national coordinator Luke Hurst has told The Telegraph: "Peter Mandelson’s inevitable sacking is what happens when you put your party faction’s interest before your party and before the country.
"If Starmer keeps running a narrow and brittle political project, it will break him and could break the Labour Party. We need a Government and party of all the talents and all the views."
'Diplomatic efforts' underway to try to save Your Party
Jeremy Corbyn officially launched Your Party earlier this year
| PAA source close to Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana said "diplomatic efforts" are underway to try to salvage the future of Your Party, reports Sky News.
After a falling out between the pair over the paid membership system, a source close to the co-leaders is attempting to mediate behind the scenes to save the as-yet unlaunched party.
On Thursday morning an invite went out to members of the party in its campaign material, inviting them to officially sign up and give it financial backing.
But Mr Corbyn described this as an "unauthorised email" and warned supporters in a statement posted on social media not to sign up via the link.
The former Labour leader and Independent MP for Islington North also said "legal advice is being taken”" over the message, which also featured the names of four other Independent MPs who have set up an ad-hoc parliamentary group with Mr Corbyn.
In turn, Coventry South MP Ms Sultana said: "After being sidelined by the MPs named in today’s statement and effectively frozen out of the official accounts, I took the step of launching a membership portal so that supporters could continue to engage and organise."
Despite Mr Corbyn’s warning, she insisted supporters of Your Party should "sign up now" as the portal was a "safe, secure, legitimate" means of becoming a member of the party.
Health unions reject 2026/27 pay review and push for talks with Government
Health unions have announced they will not take part in the next pay review body process for 2026/27.
The unions are calling on the Government to press on with promised direct talks instead to deliver pay awards on time.
The 14 unions representing staff on "agenda for change" contracts within the NHS have written to health secretary Wes Streeting urging him to honour a commitment made last year to tackle the problems in the pay system they say are harming staffing and morale.
Unions say these talks should now be widened to include the headline pay award for 2026, which would need to be decided early next year if it is to be paid on time in April, as ministers have committed to do.
WATCH: Former Conservative Adviser Claire Pearsall reacts to Reform UK securing its first Cardiff seat in the Trowbridge by-election
Pay-per-mile car taxes would bring 'many benefits' with Rachel Reeves under pressure to launch new rules
Peers in the House of Lords have warned that road pricing and car tax changes could cause havoc among drivers, including a potential rise in divorces.
Ministers and motoring experts have continually called on the Government to consider introducing road pricing options to address falling revenue from fuel duty.
As the UK approaches the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles, the Government must account for a dramatic drop in people paying for fuel, since many will be switching to electric vehicles.
Over 400 migrants cross Channel in small boats despite Labour returning TWO asylum seekers to France
Migrants departing Gravelines in France in an attempt to cross the Channel | GB NEWSAt the end of a frustrating week for the Government in which just two small boat migrants have been returned to France, GB News can reveal that at least 400 others are currently crossing the English Channel.
After nine days of windy weather, preventing migrant crossings, conditions improved overnight.
At first light, people smugglers around the Calais and Dunkirk areas pushed multiple small boats out into the Channel.
Tony Blair's plans for Gaza 'endorsed' by Donald Trump
President Donald Trump is said to have backed plans first put forward by Tony Blair for an international authority to rebuild and run Gaza after the Israeli military occupation of the territory ends.
The President had previously signalled support for the much destroyed enclave to be turned into a "Riviera of the Middle East."
Sir Tony's proposal would guarantee Gaza citizens their existing land rights.
A source told The Times of Israel, which first reported President Trump's approval of the plan: "We do not have a plan to move the Gazan population out of Gaza...Gaza is for Gazans."
A draft of the proposal, seen by the Israeli newspaper, suggests that when the IDF withdraws from Gaza the territory should be run by a "Gaza international transitional authority" established by a UN security council resolution.
WATCH: Richard Tice tells GB News: "The bond markets are applying what they call the moron premium to the UK economy."
UK could recognise Palestinian state as early as today
The UK could recognise a Palestinian state as early as later today, as Israel has failed toto meet conditions that would have postponed the step.
British recognition of Palestine is all but guaranteed, as Israel has already said it is opposed to Sir Keir’s conditions, including agreeing to a ceasefire, a two-state solution to peace, and halting annexations in the West Bank.
Recognition needs to be seen as "part of that overall package which hopefully takes us from the appalling situation we’re in now to the outcome of a safe and secure Israel, which we do not have, and a viable Palestinian state" Sir Keir added.
WATCH: Nigel Nelson and Claire Pearsall discuss Andy Burnham's potential return to Westminster
Richard Tice says Donald Trump 'bossed around' Keir Starmer
Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice said President Donald Trump "bossed around" Keir Starmer at yesterday's press conference.
The Boston and Skegness MP told GB News: "[Trump was] patting Starmer on the back and telling him how to run the country.
"Obviously the dinner the night before was incredible and Trump loves pageantry, he loves the UK, he is a lover of Scotland. All of that reinforced the special relationship which is fantastic.
"But the bottom line is he is telling this Government how to run things."
Labour minister says Navy can be called upon 'if needed' to tackle small boats crisis
Almost 1,100 small boat migrants crossed the Channel last weekend
| GETTYA Labour minister has said the Navy can be called upon "if needed" to tackle small boat crisis.
Asked about the US president’s claims, Business Secretary Peter Kyle told the BBC: "Well, what he suggested was the military are used, but we have the UK Border Force that is now established and has been reinforced and bolstered and have new powers under this Government.
"The Navy actually does have a working relationship with the UK Border Force, and the Navy can be called upon if needed.
"So we do have the functional relationship that we need between our military and keeping our borders safe and secure but what we really need at the moment is our military focused on all of those really key issues around the world, directly relating to our national defence."
Ed Davey refuses 10 times to say women cannot have penises
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has admitted transgender rights are "a difficult issue" as he refused to say women cannot have penises.
The issue of transgender rights is threatening to cast a shadow over the party's annual conference after it emerged gender-critical activists at the party conference will attempt to force the Lib Dems to bar trans women from taking female jobs.
When asked if a woman can have a penis by Piers Morgan, he said: "The vast majority of people identify with the same gender they had at birth, but there are a few who do not.
"For over 20 years we’ve had a Gender Recognition Act which said that people who want to change their gender can do so. And that’s been cross-party. I think this is a difficult issue.
He went on: "If you have a different view of your gender than your biological sex at birth, then the Act gives you that right. But the vast majority of people have the same gender as their biological sex."
WATCH: Bev Turner tells Donald Trump that GB News viewers want him and Keir Starmer to 'swap'
GB News presenter Bev Turner has told US President Donald Trump that GB News viewers have asked him to "swap jobs" with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
President Trump gave Bev a huge smile as she told him: "We asked GB News viewers the questions they would like to ask of you and the Prime Minister today. The main question was, 'would you please swap jobs with him?'"
WATCH ABOVE.
Donald Trump says Keir Starmer needs to take 'strong stand' on immigration
Donald Trump was making his second state visit to the United Kingdom | REUTERSDonald Trump said the Prime Minister should take a “strong stand” on immigration, which is "hurting him badly."
Speaking to Fox News at the end of his state visit to the UK, the US president said of Sir Keir Starmer: "I think he’s a very fine guy. He’s more liberal than me.
"I think he should take a very strong stand on the immigration. It’s really hurting him badly. I think he has to open up the North Sea. They have some of the best oil in the world and they have a lot of it.
"They have a lot of it and they made it impossible for people to drill. I think that’s what causes their energy...they have a big energy problem here with the pricing."
Newest Reform MP says he knows he is 'letting down a huge number of people' after defection
Reform UK's newest MP has said his choice to defect to Nigel Farage's party hasn't been "particularly enjoyable" on a personal level.
East Wiltshire MP Danny Kruger announced he was defecting earlier this week, becoming the second Conservative to do so after Lee Anderson.
He told The Spectator: "On a personal level, it hasn’t been particularly enjoyable...because I know I am letting down a huge number of really decent people who I respect and like.
"I don’t like the idea of it being like a family because you can’t leave your family. But it’s like a club that is really meaningful.
"I’ve come to the conclusion that the Conservative club is a barrier to conservatism, and therefore, it’s necessary to leave it."
Flag campaigns show Britons are 'not embarrassed about being British', says crossbench peer
People are attaching the St George's and Union flags to lamp posts to "express solidarity with each other" and show they are not "embarrassed about being British", a leading peer has said.
Baroness Fox of Buckley also criticised what she described as "a kind of form of snobbery that's basically anti working class" among the UK's ruling class towards ordinary Britons.
And this in turn led to an inability of the Establishment to comprehend why Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is so popular among voters.
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