Angela Rayner allies are pushing her to strike a deal with Andy Burnham to let him back into Parliament – but only if she becomes prime minister first.
Sources close to the former deputy Labour leader say Rayner does not believe that the hugely popular Greater Manchester Mayor has a “realistic chance” of becoming a MP before a leadership contest is triggered.
Allies of Rayner have convinced a number of MPs originally backing Burnham that she is the only candidate from the “soft left” that can replace Sir Keir Starmer if the starting gun on the race for No 10.
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Dua Lipa’s Pyramid Stage headline performance in 2024 was streamed on bbc.com for international audiences (Photo: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
ENTERTAINMENT
Why Dua Lipa has sued Samsung for $15m
Dua Lipa has filed a lawsuit against Samsung for at least $15m (£11m), accusing the South Korean tech giant of using a photo of her to sell its TVs.
Samsung began using an image of Lipa on an image of a TV screen printed on its cardboard packaging for a “significant portion” of its TVs sold in the US last year, according to the legal complaint filed in California on Friday.
No permission or compensation
The British popstar, 30, alleges that Samsung did not financially compensate her or seek permission for using her image, which was taken backstage before a performance at the Austin City Limits festival in 2024.
When Lipa became aware of Samsung’s use of the image June 2025, she says she immediately demanded that the company stop using it. However, the singer claims Samsung was “dismissive and callous” and “repeatedly refused”.
NEWS
3 min read
MUSIC
5 min read
Singer had ‘no say, control, or input’ in campaign
Ms. Lipa’s face was prominently used for a mass marketing campaign for a consumer product without her knowledge, without consideration, and as to which she had no say, control, or input whatsoever. Ms. Lipa did not allow and would not have allowed this use.
tHE LAWSUIT STATES
Dua Lipa at Milan Fashion Week in February 2023 (Photo: Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images)
Copyright claims
The lawsuit states that Lipa owns the copyright to the photograph that was used, and that it is a violation of the California right of publicity statute, a federal Lanham Act claim, and trademark claims.
The case also alleges that Lipa is “highly selective” in making product endorsements and that Samsung’s conduct “makes a mockery of her hard work in establishing a successful brand”. Samsung has yet to respond.
Lipa kept up the energy throughout (Photo: Shirlaine Forrest)
OPINION
4 min read
HEALTH
How the four-day week could reduce obesity
Caption: Embargoed to 0001 Saturday January 22
File photo dated 28/07/10 of an overweight man. Obese people are being encouraged to ask their pharmacist about a free online NHS weight loss programme. Issue date: Saturday January 22, 2022. PA Photo. Until now, obese patients with either high blood pressure or diabetes had to be seen by their GP before they could access the 12-week weight management plan in England. See PA story HEALTH Obesity. Photo credit should read: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Photographer: Dominic Lipinski
Provider: PA
Source: PA
Those who work longer hours are more likely to be obese, new research suggests, prompting experts to push for a four-day week in Britain.
Long days mean “time-poor” staff rely on unhealthy convenience food, have fewer opportunities to exercise, and register higher levels of cortisol – the stress hormone, all of which increase fat storage.
The research
The research, published at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, examined data from 33 countries working with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, including the UK.
It compared average working hours with obesity rates, and found nations with the highest rates of obesity, including the US and Mexico, had the longest working hours. Other countries, such as the Netherlands, had low obesity and low working hours.
Every 1 per cent reduction in working hours was associated with a 0.16 per cent decrease in obesity rates at a population level, the data suggests.
Switching to a four-day week could result in a 3 per cent fall in obesity rates.
If applied to England, where 13.5 million are obese, this would result in over 400,000 fewer obese adults.
A balanced life is a better life
We need to change the food environment and working conditions. When people have a more balanced life, they have a better life. They have less stress, they can focus on more nutritious food and engage in more physical activities
Dr Pradeepa Korale-Gedara of the University of Queensland in Australia, the study’s author
Try and eat vegetables of different colours for maximum nutrition (Photo: Getty)
Of the 33 countries in the study, the UK ranked ninth for obesity rates, but 24th in terms of working hours.
The average adult in England is forecast to work 1,505 hours a year in the UK, compared with 1,811 in the US.
(Photo: Charles Gullung/Getty).
Constant fatigue could point to anaemia (Photo: LaylaBird/Getty)
Dr Rita Fontinha, of the World of Work Institute at the University of Reading, said: “If you work two jobs or long hours, you simply do not have the energy to cook, and it becomes easier to just buy something packaged or processed.”
More than 200,000 workers have switched to a four-day week since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.
What is the four-day week?
Active woman doing stretching exercise with friends – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
There is a growing movement in the UK towards a four-day week, where employees work one less day per week with no loss of pay.
Advocates argue companies can still maintain the same level of productivity, while also having wider health and societal benefits. Some say it may increase pressure to do the same amount of work in less time.
OPINION
3 min read
WORLD ANALYSIS
Trump faces his greatest rival this week. He needs a win
Only a few months ago, the prospect of a summit between Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping looked likely to be a bruising confrontation.
Last year, after Washington had imposed tariffs on Chinese goods that reached as high as 145 per cent at one stage, rhetoric on both sides hardened sharply.
Rising anxieties
Trump has tried to navigate the rising anxiety about China, which is one of the issues that has united Republicans and Democrats in the US for the best part of 10 years.
He has consistently expressed his admiration for Jinping, even when he was out of office. To his detractors, this was yet another sign that the US President has a soft spot for autocrats and dictators.
Trump and Xi Jinping tour the Forbidden City in Beijing in November 2017 (Photo: AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
OPINION
3 min read
A ‘friendly’ summit
After a meeting between the two leaders in Busan, South Korea, last October, Jinping took a similar line. “China and the United States should be partners and friends,” he said.
Caption: U.S. President Donald Trump attends an event at The Villages Charter School at The Villages, Florida, U.S., May 1, 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
Photographer: Nathan Howard
Provider: REUTERS
Source: REUTERS
(Photo: Nhac Nguyen/Pool/AFP via Getty).
This does not mean that the anxieties that both countries have about each other’s motivations, ambitions or capabilities have dissipated. At the moment, however, it suits both sides to make this week’s summit as friendly and constructive as possible.
Iran war pressures
For the US, the opening of Pandora’s box that has followed the attacks on Iran means that, as well as being preoccupied elsewhere, there is a need to replenish heavily depleted weapons stocks.
That means that a moratorium with China is helpful, as is a loosening of Beijing’s tight controls on the export of rare earths and critical minerals.
Trump has been messaging his intentions accordingly.
Last month, he posted on Truth Social about the summit: “President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks. We are working together smartly, and very well!”
The cost of fighting
Trump cannot afford to pick another fight at a time when the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has put pressure not only on oil supplies but also on fertiliser, helium and the global economy as a whole.
That works well for Jinping, too. The optics of Washington treating China as a peer are good for the latter’s global stature.
Caption: TOPSHOT – US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on April 16, 2026. The United States will prevent all shipping from entering or exiting Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz for “as long as it takes,” US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday, the fourth day of the blockade. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: SAUL LOEB
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors
OPINION
4 min read
Movement on both sides
That is why the meeting is likely to produce a set of carefully calibrated announcements designed to show that co-operation remains possible.
The United States is expected to push hard for major Chinese purchases of American goods.
China, meanwhile, will seek movement on export controls, semiconductor restrictions and investment barriers.
Analysis
4 min read
Analysis
6 min read
How to fake your way to being organised
Do you have your life together? Is your home tidy and clutter-free; your diary neatly colour-coded; your to-do list full of satisfying ticks?
If these questions feel like a personal attack don’t worry. We asked the put-together experts for their secrets.
Get to know your brain
The real magic is rarely in the system but in how your brain likes to work.
If you love analytical tasks, try making spreadsheets.
Set reminders for the things you usually forget.
Use the Notes app for the ideas you think of in the shower but never remember when you get to do it.
But if you are more likely to structure your day around how you’re feeling, a calendar isn’t the best option.
How to fake your way to organisation
Cropped image of senior woman putting car key in ignition lock – stock photo. (Photo: Kentaroo Tryman/ Getty)
Make it easier
If you hate folding, change your storage style. If you’re always forgetting your keys, put a sign by your door.
Make a launch pad
Keep a small tray or basket in the hallway for your can’t-leave-home-without essentials.
Two young children wearing school uniforms exit their front door – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Mid adult businesswoman using phone and laptop for work from home. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Use technology
After meetings use an AI tool to note down what you have to remember as a brain dump.
Create new habits
The one-touch rule
If you put your shoes straight on the rack as you take them off, instead of kicking them onto the floor and moving them later, that’s one touch. If you hang things up rather than tossing them onto the ‘bedroom chair’ it’s another one-touch win.
A woman with one foot is searching for an amputee to share shoes with – so her two bin bags full of unwanted right foot size six shoes don’t go to waste. (Photo: Emma Henson/ SWNS)
Full length of mid adult man doing chores in kitchen at home – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Talk to yourself out loud
This verbal anchor helps you remember what you have decided to do and cuts down on mental drift.
The 300-second challenge
Caption: Millennial black lady vacuuming floor while her husband watching TV, not helping her with household duties, cropped view. Unrecognizable young couple having problem with domestic chores
Photographer: Prostock-Studio
Provider: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Source: iStockphoto
Give yourself five minutes to deal with one overdue chore or task.
Using seconds rather than minutes creates urgency and gives your brain a novelty hit.
Try it when putting the laundry away, making a phone call or reading an overdue email.
LIFESTYLE
9 min read
Make it easier for yourself
Use completion cues
Drop a marble in a jar or move a sticky note across a board each time you complete a task.
To do list – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
It is the perfect time to enjoy an afternoon nap in your own home (Photo: Malte Mueller/Getty/fStop)
Support your future
Write down where you left off and the next small task to tackle to strengthen your control over every day demands.
Ask for help
Consider seeking support from loved ones, neighbours, colleagues, community groups or professionals.
‘Everyone who comes to see me assumes I am hard-up, so they either bring me gifts and treats, or if we go out together, they always insist on paying’ (Photo: Getty)
Eight tips for
combating loneliness
Ree Young, works for Mind mental health charity as a ‘befriender’ – this means working with people aged 50 and over in the city of Leeds – who may be struggling with social isolation or loneliness.
Young advises these people on how to get social, even when you don’t want to. Here are her tips.
How to combat loneliness
Social isolation affects us all
27%
of adults reported they felt lonely always, often or some of the time in data published by the Office for National Statistics in 2024.
7%
reported that they felt lonely always or often.
How to combat loneliness
Running might not seem like the most appealing hobby, but if you give it a try, you might be surprised (Photo: EMS-FORSTER-PRODUCTIONS/Getty/Digital Vision/ems-forster-productions)
Stay socially active
Check out what’s going on at your local community centre or learn something new to make connections.
Use technology
Look up old friends online, or use video-call features to connect with those who don’t live nearby.
FaceTiming on an iPad or iPhone is a simple method of video calling (Photo: Getty)
Woman learning to knit with friends in cafe – stock photo. (Photo: Compassionate Eye Foundation/David Oxberry/ Getty)
Get creative
Why not learn how to crochet, write short stories, plant a herb garden or play the ukulele in a group?
Adopt a pet
They can provide companionship, a listening ear and a structured routine. They can be good listeners and stroking them can make us feel calmer and more at ease. Even the smallest pets, like fish, can bring us joy and a sense of purpose.
REE YOUNG, BEFRIENDER
(Photo: fotostorm/Getty Images/E+)
How to tackle loneliness
Join a death cafe
They are safe and inclusive spaces for people to be curious about death in a supportive environment.
Portrait of senior male cafe owner at front counter – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Hay fever can be incredibly disruptive (Photo: Science Photo Library/Getty)
Try citizen science
It’s a great way to feel part of a community, while also contributing to worthwhile initiatives.
Explore your faith
Try attending services if spiritual practices are important to you. They can offer strong support networks and open doors to new people.
Caption: Richard Loynes, with the leaning church of Dry Doddington, Nottinghamshire, also known as St James Church. April 14, 2026. // England’s wonkiest church which has a spire which leans more than the Leaning Tower of Pisa is in vital need of ??100,000 repairs to save its future – but have refused to correct the angle of its famous tower. The spire of St James’ Church in the countryside village of Dry Doddington, Lincs., tilts at 5.1 degrees compared to the 3.99 degrees of its Italian counterpart over 1,000 miles away. Villagers consider the Grade II-listed building “Britain’s answer to The Leaning Tower of Pisa” but there are now concerns for its future as it is need of essential repairs. Tourists often travel to snap photos next to the historic tilting place of worship, which has now launched a fundraiser to raise another ??100,000 11 years after it underwent ??100,000 of renovation work to save its tower. The 12th century church was built originally as a ???Chapel of Ease??? for older residents to attend church rather than walking to a neighbouring village. The tower, dating from the 14th century, is believed to have first shifted in the late 19th century and was underpinned in 1918 to prevent it from tilting any further. Church warden Richard Loynes said: “The church is very much part of the village and we’re proud of its uniqueness.??? Photo released 15/04/2026
Photographer: Tom Maddick / SWNS
Provider: Tom Maddick / SWNS
Source: Tom Maddick / SWNS
Seek professional help
If you are unsure what support is available, speak to your GP. Research local charities and find out what services they have to offer, and try accessing local befriending, group or peer-support services.
There is nothing shameful about asking for help.
The Government must prioritise targeted investment in mental health services, preventative programmes to stop people’s health worsening – including public health funding across the North, a report said. (Photo: Alamy/PA)
Female psychiatrist discussing with mid adult woman during therapy session – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
The six reasons your partner might cheat
Cheating is still the number one cause of divorce, and one in five Brits admit to doing it.
But what are the main drivers of infidelity?
‘If she feels unappreciated by me, sex is off the agenda,’ says the reader (Photo: Getty)
Why your partner might cheat
They want a way out
Sex and relationship therapist Cate Campbell says exit affairs are one of the three “big reasons” she sees.
Fear of commitment
This often happens when a person doesn’t feel good about themselves, or have a fear of being found out.
‘Fathers, it seems, are still expected to put work first and family second’ (Photo: Getty Images)
Senior husband and wife having relationship difficulties – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
A mid-life crisis
Transitions like moving house, new jobs or becoming parents makes cheating more common.
Why your partner might cheat
They’re getting too close to a colleague
This dynamic is usually an unhappy man who confides in a woman in a work context, and it switches from a supportive friendship into an affair.
Side view of affectionate happy couple sitting in the cozy cafe. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
‘Although problems with sex are very common, very few people come for help,’ says one GP (Photo: Getty)
They want something new in bed
Desires change – consiously or not and people may believe they want something different, or to experiment.
Elderly woman sitting alone in her living room – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
WHY YOUR PARTNER MAY CHEAT
They feel lonely
Nobody stays the same in a relationship – and if we’re not communicating that to each other, it can be disconnecting.
Susie Masterson, a relationship therapist, says when people feel undervalued, or stretched too thin in day-to-day life, they can look at their relationship and realise it isn’t filling the gaps.
How to recover from an affair
Infidelity doesn’t have to be the end of a relationship
Psychotherapist Esther Perel says in her book The State of Affairs that affairs can actually save a relationship, by forcing us to address deep-rooted issues and come back stronger.
Campbell says couples should be having conversations about infidelity and what it means to them.
“Often it’s not the affair that ends the relationship, but the fallout – and the way it’s managed. Which is why it’s useful to get some therapy if you can,” she adds.
Think you know all the signs of heart problems? Some might be myths rather than fact…
These are the beliefs to be wary of, according to Dr Abdul Mozid, a consultant cardiologist at Nuffield Health Leeds Hospital.
‘Getting out of breath is just a sign of getting older’
Caption: Senior man laying down on the sofa, watching tv and holding the remote control.
Photographer: PicTour Studio
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStockphoto
While ageing can contribute, breathlessness is also a common early warning sign of heart disease.
When the heart cannot pump efficiently, fluid can build up in the lungs, making simple activities difficult.
If it occurs while laying down, or while doing minimal activity, it should never be ignored.
LIFESTYLE
4 min read
‘Sleep has little effect on the heart’
There are ways to get a better night’s sleep (Photo: Maskot/Getty/Digital Vision/Copyright Maskot Bildbyr?)
Poor or fragmented sleep increases stress hormone levels, raises blood pressure, disrupts glucose metabolism and promotes inflammation — all of which contribute to cardiovascular disease.
Good-quality sleep is not a luxury; it is a pillar of cardiovascular health alongside diet and exercise.
‘Exercise gives you a healthy heart’
You can ‘out-exercise’ metabolic stress
A young Indian woman sits on a couch at home, holding her hand over her heart, grimacing as she feels severe pain in her chest – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
This is not true. A poor diet high in saturated fats, refined sugars and salt promotes high cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension, regardless of your activity levels.
Analysis
3 min read
Other heart health myths to ignore
Only “bad” cholesterol matters
While HDL cholesterol may be associated with lower risk in some contexts, it does not provide total immunity to heart problems. Managing LDL levels remains crucial as part of your overall health.
(Photo: Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty).
Midlife depression. Sad upset middle aged woman at home, feeling lonely. Aging anxiety and loneliness concept – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
It’s just anxiety
Women are more likely to present with less “classic” heart attack symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea, jaw pain or back discomfort. If symptoms are new or persistent, cardiac issues must be considered.
‘Heart disease is an older person problem’
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in women, yet risk is often underestimated. Symptoms may be subtle and attributed to life stage or stress.
Recognising these unique risk enhancers is vital to earlier diagnosis and prevention.
The older couple has a conflict. Upset mature woman, quarrel with her husband. Relationship crisis – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Caption: BERLIN, GERMANY – AUGUST 13: Symbolic photo on the topic of problems in a relationship. An older woman and an older man are sitting at home on August 13, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo Illustration by Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images)
Photographer: Thomas Trutschel
Provider: Photothek via Getty Images
Source: Photothek
Fridge or cupboard?
This is your definitive guide on where and how to store your foods at home to maximise the quality and shelf life, from ketchup and butter to nuts and jam.
Where to store the basics
Keeping butter in the fridge maximises food safety and freshness.
Ketchup and mayonnaise can be stored in the cupboard but once opened, are best in the fridge.
Bread shouldn’t be refridgerated due to the starch molecules. A bread bin at room temparture, or an airtight container is best.
LIFESTYLE
6 min read
How and where to store food items
There is a fine line between ripe or matured and spoilt.
Jam
Keeping it in the fridge will help it last longer.
Eggs
Storing them at a constant cool temperature, preferably in the fridge, will keep them safe to eat.
Berries
Keeping them in the fridge slows down mould growth and keeps them fresh.
LIFESTYLE
5 min read
Where to store your food
Caption: Fresh organic tomato closeup .
Photographer: Maria Korneeva
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF
Tomatoes
Ripe ones should be kept on the counter uncovered if you’re going to enjoy them in the first few days after purchase.
Potatoes
They need to be in a dry, dark place like a cupboard. Exposure to light or moisture can rot the skin.
When you cook potatoes the right way they go from being a health burden to a health hero (Photo: Getty)
Caption: A Hand holding a bit brown banana
Photographer: bauwimauwi
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStockphoto
Bananas
12°C is best, as they will ripen quicker if they are too warm, so a darker space with no direct sunlight is ideal.
Fridge or cupboard?
1Apples are best in cool to cold temperatures so the salad compartment of the fridge is ideal to keep them crunchy.
2At room temperature lemons stay good for a week but in the fridge it stretches to two.
3Ripe avocados should go in the fridge to slow down the ripening process but if they’re firm, a warm sunny spot is best.
4Soy sauce, due to the high levels of salt, is best in the cupboard – even once opened.
Where to store your food
Nuts
Nuts are fine in the cupboard but keeping them in the fridge in an airtight container helps prevent spoilage.
Caption: Cookie jar, tea, wine, nuts, books, lit candles and Christmas decorations on the table. Cozy Christmas hygge at home. Selective focus.
Photographer: Jelena990
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStockphoto
Garlic bulbs (Photo: Emma Dahl/RHS)
Garlic
This suits dry, dark places so a cupboard is ideal.
Onions
Low temperatures can transform the starches of the onion into sugars, making it soft, and potentially mouldy.
Close up shot of man chopping onions during cooking class – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
This is despite the fact that Rayner, who was forced to quit the Cabinet last year, is still being probed by HMRC after she admitted to underpaying stamp duty on an £800,000 property in the well-heeled area of Hove, East Sussex.
According to those familiar with Rayner’s thinking, she is not pushing this idea personally, although they acknowledge that MPs are looking at a number of different scenarios depending on how events play out.
Operation Bring Back Burnham
The Prime Minister is facing a perilous few days after Labour was annihilated in the local elections last week.
Catherine West, a former minister, publicly indicated over the weekend that she will stand against him as a “stalking horse”, widely seen as an attempt to flush out the main contenders including Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary.
However, earlier on Monday, she appeared to back down from her threat. She’s now collecting names of Labour MPs to call on the Prime Minister to set a timetable for the election of a new leader in September – a move interpreted of being persuaded to pull back from the brink by Burnham supporters.
The prospect of a longer timetable would allow time for the Greater Manchester Mayor to potentially return to Parliament and join a leadership contest. Although, Burnham could still be blocked by the Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC), which voted eight to one not to let him stand in a by-election in January.
On Sunday, Rayner publicly called for his return as she accused Starmer of “toxic cronyism”. She said that blocking Burnham from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election in January was “a mistake” – a view she reiterated during a speech on Monday to the Communication Union Workers’ conference.
Over the weekend, Starmer triggered widespread ridicule amongst many Labour MPs when he insisted he would not step down and planned to govern for a decade.
It is understood that Rayner as prime minister would be prepared to let Burnham stand as a MP and return to Parliament – and even stand aside for him if she cannot turn around Labour’s dire poll ratings.
The offer has piqued the interest of several Burnham-supporting MPs, including prominent members of the Socialist Campaign Group, who are all desperate to prevent Streeting, seen as on the right of the Labour movement, from replacing Starmer.
Many MPs are concerned that Burnham will continue to be blocked by the NEC, which is stuffed with Starmer loyalists keen to shore up the Prime Minister’s position.
Rayner is the only route back for Burnham
A series of embarrassing U-turns and defeats in the House of Commons has been severely weakened the Prime Minister’s authority, but he has soldiered on without facing a challenge. However, Starmer is now facing calls to resign from more than 40 MPs since since Labour lost almost 1,500 council seats in the local elections last week.
Allies of Burnham were panicked by West’s unlikely announcement over the weekend as they are concerned it may trigger a leadership contest before he can get back into Parliament. Some are now forming alternative plans to ensure that a candidate from the soft-left wing of the Labour party replaces Starmer in case Burnham fails to return in time.
Some are even encouraging Ed Miliband, the former Labour leader and current Energy Secretary who is popular with the membership, to stand amid reports support for Rayner is ebbing away.
But others still believe Burnham is the party’s best option – even if it means backing Rayner in the first instance.
A Labour MP, who was previously supporting Burnham, said: “The only route in for Burnham is Rayner. We are doomed if we do not support Rayner.” The MP said Starmer had to be challenged immediately otherwise the momentum to replace him would dissipate.
Another MP added: “The only way Burham can get back to Westminster is if Rayner is PM. Burnham has been letting the soft left think there is a route in when there is not.
“Rayner will let him return to Westminster and even promise to hand over the reins to him in the event that she can’t turn the polls around. She knows this will be a challenge because of the ongoing attacks from the right-wing press so there is a decent chance it would quickly fall into his lap.
“The only difficulty with this plan is three Labour prime ministers in quick succession would not be ideal, but at the moment we can see no other option.”
Rayner would be ‘compelled’ to stand against Streeting
However, this extraordinary offer has not convinced all the MPs currently backing Burnham. Louise Haigh, the powerful leader of the soft-left Tribune group, which commands the support of up to 100 MPs, is against the idea and still believes the party should be patient and wait until Burnham is back in Parliament.
She is understood to have reached out personally to Rayner in an attempt to stop her fomenting dissent with the Burnham-supporting contingent.
Sources close to Rayner say her statement last night was an attempt to flush out Streeting. She has told allies that if he stands in the contest she will feel “compelled” to stand against him.
Allies of the Health Secretary claim Streeting is prepared to stand for the leadership if Starmer’s premiership “falls apart”, but insist he will not be the “first mover”.
Today, Westminster was gripped with growing rumours that a Labour MP is set to resign to make way for Burnham’s return.
Last week, The i Paper revealed that allies of Burnham had offered peerages to MPs in a bid to persuade them to stand aside. However, Burnham would still have to be approved as a candidate by Labour’s NEC and win a by-election, all of which would take at least six weeks.
Rayner’s offer to Burnham is not the only sign of co-ordination between their camps. The i Paper can also reveal that several commissions to develop new left-wing policies have been jointly set up by allies of both Burnham and Rayner.
A source said that friends of Miliband are also involved in the commissions, which are exploring new approaches to the economy, defence and justice. Miliband has previously been linked to the position of chancellor of the exchequer in any future Burnham government.
Last week, it was reported that Miliband had privately suggested to Starmer that he should consider setting out a timetable for his departure.