Burnham Preparing To Run For Manchester Mayor

Shadow home secretary Andy Burnham has been approached to stand as the Labour candidate to be the first elected mayor of Greater Manchester.

Sky News understands the Burnham team is actively considering the proposal, and has made some initial preparations for a run in next May's election - part of the Government's "devolution revolution" of new powers to city regions.

The new "Metro Mayor" will have unprecedented powers over billions in funding for health, transport, planning, housing, policing, skills and criminal justice.

Labour MPs from the area told Sky News the party wants a big hitter for the role - with more impact than current candidates Ivan Lewis MP and the current interim mayor and ex-MP Tony Lloyd.

Mr Burnham will make a final decision in the next few weeks, but sources in Greater Manchester say he has sounded out a small number of local figures.

The MP for Leigh in Greater Manchester has been widely praised for his response to the Hillsborough inquiry, and has taken an active interest in the debate among Greater Manchester councils.

The timetable for selection kicks off this month.

Friends of Mr Burnham were adamant he has no intention of resigning from the shadow cabinet, and has promised Jeremy Corbyn he will stay "as long as he wants him there".

But it would mark a huge departure for the man who just over a year ago - before "Corbynmania" - was favourite to become the next Labour leader.

Labour sources in the region said Mr Burnham had privately expressed the view that "Devo Manc" was a "big moment in British politics" which could "give the north a real voice, if done properly".

Many senior northern Labour politicians have suggested the party's big mistake in Scotland was not to get its biggest national hitters to stay at Holyrood, letting in the Scottish National Party.

Mr Burnham, a former health secretary, also wrote Labour manifesto plans for the integration of national health and social care last year.

The Manchester mayor will have new powers over the integration of health and social care for 2.7 million locals, covering 100,000 health staff.

After being contacted by Sky News, a spokesperson for Andy Burnham said: "Approaches have been made to Mr Burnham to give consideration to this role.

"It is early days and no decision has been taken. Whatever the decision, he will continue to serve the leader of the party and stay in the shadow cabinet."