Andy Burnham is expected to set out a broader economic agenda aimed at reassuring financial markets as speculation grows over Labour’s future leadership.
Reports suggest the Greater Manchester mayor will back a forthcoming economics pamphlet designed to strengthen his national economic credentials amid increasing discussion about a potential leadership contest.
The document is due to be published in the coming weeks by Mainstream, a Labour pressure group associated with figures on the party’s left and supportive of greater state involvement in public services.
Burnham, who has emerged as one of the names being discussed as a possible successor to Sir Keir Starmer, is understood to favour higher public investment in infrastructure and public services.
The reports come during a period of heightened political uncertainty, with government borrowing costs rising amid continuing pressure on the prime minister following Labour’s recent electoral setbacks.
According to reports, the Mainstream paper will outline how policies implemented in Greater Manchester could be expanded nationally, including increased public oversight of transport and other services.
As mayor, Burnham has overseen the franchising of Greater Manchester’s bus network and has previously argued for greater public control in sectors including transport, energy and water.
Speculation about Burnham’s future has also intensified following reports that he will seek a return to Westminster through a parliamentary by-election.
Any attempt to stand as a Labour candidate would require approval from the party’s National Executive Committee, which previously blocked an earlier attempt by Burnham to return to Parliament.
A spokesman for Mainstream said: “This is a paper on political economy inspired, in part, by the work of the Labour team in Greater Manchester, but developed and written independently by figures connected to Mainstream.
“This is a crucial moment at which Labour needs to pursue a big, bold agenda that commands the confidence of the country. We’re looking forward to contributing to the debate about what this should look like via this paper and our broader work.”
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