Nigel Farage's Reform UK is gearing up for an early general election after Andy Burnham confirmed his plot to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership, a senior insider has told GB News.
Mr Burnham, who is standing as Labour's candidate in Makerfield on June 18, has been accused of using the by-election as a "stepping stone" to get the keys to No10.
The Greater Manchester Mayor publicly revealed he intends to enter his third Labour leadership race if voters return him to Westminster for the first time since he resigned as the MP of nearby Leigh in 2017.
However, Reform UK now believes it must prepare for an early general election after Mr Farage claimed a snap poll would be needed if Sir Keir is defeated in a leadership challenge.
"The fact is Burnham is just Starmer in jeans," a senior Reform source told GB News.
"If he becomes PM, Britain's decline will accelerate. Reform will be ready for an early general election."
Mr Farage is already gearing up for a poll ahead of 2029, with the Clacton MP predicting economic collapse will force an election in 2027.
However, Mr Burnham was forced to reject claims he was eyeing up an early poll amid speculation he would need to seek a new mandate if he entered No10.
Andy Burnham is eyeing up a return to Westminster | GETTYThe Greater Manchester Mayor previously promised to see out his whole term before heading back down to Westminster.
Speaking to GB News at the 2024 Labour Party Conference, Mr Burnham said: “I am committed to my third term, absolutely. I’m not planning to head back to Westminster any time soon.”
It would cost taxpayers around £4.5million if Mr Burnham wins in Makerfield, with a metro mayor by-election posing another challenge to Labour.
Mr Burnham is edging ahead of Reform UK's Robert Kenyon in Makerfield ahead of polls opening on June 18.
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Nigel Farage could become the next Prime Minister | GETTYA survey conducted by Survation found Labour's support is up to 49 per cent, 10 points ahead of Reform UK on 39 per cent.
Meanwhile, Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain languishes behind in a distant third place on eight per cent.
Mr Burnham is also expected to face a showdown with Sir Keir if he looks to join ex-Health Secretary Wes Streeting in an imminent Labour leadership race.
The Prime Minister, who rejected calls to set out a timeline for his departure last month, is now telling his loyal supporters he will seek re-election if a leadership contest is triggered.
Sir Keir told allies he will fight any leadership contest | GETTYSpeaking on Friday, Sir Keir said he was “not going to walk away” from the job and any leadership contest would “plunge the country into chaos".
Mr Burnham and Mr Streeting would require the backing of 81 Labour MPs to challenge Sir Keir's leadership.
The Prime Minister does not need explicit backing to stand in a potential leadership race.
However, more than 100 Labour MPs publicly endorsed his leadership when he faced calls to step down last month.
Andy Burnham confirmed his leadership ambitions last week | GETTYA recent poll of Labour members found Mr Burnham would defeat Sir Keir in a head-to-head leadership race.
The Greater Manchester Mayor received 61 per cent support compared to 28 per cent for the Prime Minister, according to Survation.
Meanwhile, Mr Streeting's support stood at just 23 per cent, giving Sir Keir a clear advantage on 53 per cent.
Survation also found ex-Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and former Labour leader Ed Miliband would likely defeat Sir Keir in head-to-head contests.