At last year’s Labour Party conference, the Mayor of Greater Manchester called for a “debate on our direction” and in November he refused to rule out a challenge, telling BBC Breakfast: “I don’t know what the future will hold.”

As a mayor who does not currently have a seat in Parliament, the route to the top could be strewn with hurdles for the man who was Leigh MP in the North West from 2001 to 2017.

It could also be expensive for the taxpayer. The 2024 mayoral election cost Greater Manchester Combined Authority more than £4.7 million.

Let’s take a look at what steps he would have to take before becoming the UK’s next prime minister.

– Vacant seat

Firstly, a vacant parliamentary seat would need to be available and finding one may not be an easy task.

In November last year, Clive Lewis, the Labour MP for Norwich South, indicated he would step down for Mr Burnham.

He told BBC’s Politics Live at the time: “If I’m going to sit here and say country before party, party before personal ambition, then yes, I have to say yes, don’t I?”

However, Mr Lewis told the Press Association he will not be standing down for him, because Mr Burnham does not want a Norfolk seat.

One of Mr Burnham’s top backers, Paula Barker, Labour MP for Liverpool, told BBC Breakfast “no” on Monday after she was asked if she would stand down to make way for him.

Marie Rimmer, Labour MP for St Helens South and Whiston, said suggestions she had spoken to Mr Burnham about giving up her seat were “absolute nonsense”.

In a post on X, she said: “I have a great deal of respect for Andy, he has done some incredible work in Manchester, but I am not planning to stand down for him or for anybody else.”

Labour grandee Baroness Harriet Harman, who was recently appointed an adviser by Sir Keir, suggested Mr Burnham should be part of the Cabinet.

“If we’re looking at having a team of all the talents when the country’s facing terrible odds and the Labour Party has got a cloud hanging over it, clearly Andy is part of the solution to that,” she told Sky’s Electoral Dysfunction podcast.

There are two by-elections coming up in Scotland, after both SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn (Aberdeen South) and SNP MP Stephen Gethins (Arbroath and Broughty Ferry) were elected to Holyrood.

Mr Burnham is unlikely to stand in either of these Scottish seats.

– Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee

If a seat were to become vacant, Mr Burnham would need to win over the National Executive Committee (NEC), who is responsible for choosing Labour’s candidates.

In January this year the NEC blocked Mr Burnham from running in Gorton and Denton.

A 10-strong group, including the Prime Minister, voted to deny Mr Burnham permission to stand in the Greater Manchester by-election.

Sir Keir justified the move arguing “an election for the Mayor of Manchester when it’s not necessary would divert our resources away from the elections that we must have”.

The Prime Minister faced criticism over this decision, particularly after Green Party MP Hannah Spencer came out on top in the competition.

Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell, the only member of the NEC to vote in favour of allowing Mr Burnham to stand, said he “probably would have” held the seat.

– Leadership ballot

If Mr Burnham were to be elected to Parliament, only then could he make a Labour leadership bid.

According to the Labour Party rule book, candidates seeking to enter the ballot must be an MP.

This is because the Labour leader is the Prime Minister, therefore they would need to be a Member of Parliament.

The current rules state a candidate must receive nominations from 20% of their Labour colleagues in Parliament to be in the running.

They must also receive nominations from 5% of constituency Labour Parties (CLPs), or at least three affiliates of the party, with at least two being trade unions.

– Summary of necessary steps

– Vacant seat

– NEC permission

– Win election, become an MP

– Meet nominations threshold

– Win leadership competition, become Labour leader and prime minister

Police were called to a disturbance on Newport Street this afternoon, with passers-by saying they say a man lying on the ground.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of assault.

The incident took place between around 1pm in the afternoon.

Emergency services attended the scene and took the injured man to hospital with serious injuries following what is believed to have been an assault.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “At around 1pm today (12/05/2026) we were called to reports of a disturbance on Newport Street, Bolton.

“Emergency services attended and a man was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

“A man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and remains in custody for questioning.”

The man was seen lying in the middle of Newport Street by shoppers before being attended by emergency services including police officers and North West Ambulance.

Witnesses said they believed the man to be young based on his clothing.

One said: “We were told he had been attacked, I hope he is okay, he was surrounded by people and was lay there. ”

Anyone with information can ring 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The rankings come from a new study by White Stores, which analysed public gardens listed by the Royal Horticultural Society using Google ratings, climate data, visitor facilities, and the range of attractions on offer.

Topping the list in the North East is Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, which earned a score of 76.23 out of 100 and was praised for its facilities, including a wildflower meadow and expansive parkland.

Rob Mead, buying director at White Stores, said: “Not everyone is lucky enough to have a garden of their own to enjoy, but the UK is well known for its public gardens.

“There are hundreds dotted around the UK so anyone can enjoy a day out among the flowers.

“These gardens offer more than a great day out for a family of all ages, and they’re great inspiration for people looking to decorate their own outdoor spaces.”

The research highlighted County Durham’s strength in horticultural attractions, with the region securing all three of the top spots in the North East.

Raby Castle

In first place, Raby Castle, Park and Gardens received high marks for its welcoming facilities and natural beauty.

The site earned a Google rating of 4.6 from more than 3,700 reviews, reflecting public appreciation for its historical charm and serene setting.

See more about Raby Castle here: We take a look inside stunning new floral exhibition at County Durham castle

Raby Castle and The Rising development (Image: Contributor)

Durham University Botanic Garden

Taking second place with a score of 72.90, the Durham University Botanic Garden was recognised for its diversity, scoring 8.00 for variety.

The “underrated” 10-hectare Botanic Garden at Durham University is set amongst “beautiful” mature woodlands on the southern outskirts of Durham city and is open to the public.

It features a broad range of plant collections and educational exhibits and has 2,418 hours of annual sunlight.

Crook Hall Gardens

Crook Hall Gardens came third with a score of 65.12 and matched Raby Castle’s 4.6 Google rating.

Visitors praised its city-centre tranquillity and picturesque design, while its wildflower meadow contributed to a strong visitor review score of 8.54.

Crook Hall Gardens (Image: PA MEDIA)

Other North East highlights

Gateshead’s Birkheads Secret Gardens and Northumberland’s Bide-a-Wee Cottage Gardens completed the top five.

Birkheads was noted for its “coffee shop” charm and plant variety, though Raby Castle was still considered to offer the most extensive facilities for families and groups.

The study also highlighted the region’s focus on biodiversity, with four of the top five gardens in the North East featuring wildflower meadows.

Wider findings showed that the North East has five gardens listed in the study, compared to 37 in the South East and 36 in the South West.

John Siddell sexually abused three boys under the age of 14 between 2018 and 2021 while living in Leicestershire, but attempted to avoid justice by faking a severe disability – until CCTV footage caught him out

A paedophile pretended he couldn’t walk or talk by faking a disability in a bid to dodge prosecution for his vile crimes.

Leicester Crown Court heard John Siddell, 41, was spotted at Elvis Presley nights at a social club and was filmed walking without assistance, all while claiming to be seriously ill as police probed his sexual offences against three young boys.

His brother, James Siddell, 44, aided him in keeping up the deceit about his condition, even going so far as to tell psychiatrists he was unfit to stand trial.

John Siddell sexually abused the youngsters, all under 14, between 2018 and 2021 while living in Leicestershire. On Tuesday, he was caged for 15 years plus a two-year extended sentence, while his brother received two years and nine months behind bars.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Keith Raynor described the brothers’ conduct as “scheming and devious”. He said: “They misrepresented John Siddell’s mental and physical abilities, the behaviour of both of them entirely corrupting and undermining the course of justice.”, reports the Mirror.

Prosecutor Claudia James told the court the brothers led a “not-so-covert double life”. She said: “The brothers’ busy social lives in part unravelled their deception, as documented by social media, photos taken on their phones and their own home CCTV.” Ms James remarked that when John Siddell displayed physical debilitation, it “could not be more different” from footage showing him “walking, talking and engaging with others in his local social club”, including while watching a Newcastle United fixture.

She noted he took selfies where he managed to smile and pose with his head raised and eyes open, while in one photograph he was seen enjoying a pint of Guinness. Video evidence showed him walking without assistance and utilising his wheelchair as a “trolley” to transport household goods over a mile in June 2022.

A statement from someone who provided care for him in hospital during July 2024 described him as “the most verbal non-verbal person I have ever seen”, the court was told.

Judge Raynor stated Siddell remained hospitalised for a fortnight “at the taxpayers’ expense” while an “extremely pressed National Health Service should have been doing their job with other deserving patients”.

Siddell persuaded psychiatrists he was incapable of participating in a criminal trial during an assessment where his brother acted as his spokesperson. John Siddell “presented as wheelchair-bound, refused to open his eyes and was unable to hold his own head up”, Ms James stated.

During a fact-finding hearing, a jury established that he had abused the boys.

A different psychiatrist determined in May 2024 that there was “no reliable basis” that Siddell was unfit to stand trial. The court was told that the previous month, a police officer had observed him “sat upright in his wheelchair communicating with James” before “dramatically changing once arriving at the office for his assessment”.

Following charges of perverting the course of justice, neither defendant appeared at a plea hearing in July the previous year, with claims that John Siddell had suffered a seizure and been rushed to hospital.

In September, he pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, five counts of sexual assault, one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and four counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Both brothers admitted perverting the course of justice between November 2021 and August 2025.

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A statement read to the court on behalf of the victims, who cannot be named, revealed they are “still dealing with the effects of the abuse”.

The brothers, of Bolam Drive, Ashington, Northumberland, failed to appear at their sentencing hearing on Tuesday.

Speaking in defence of John Siddell, barrister Jamie Adams described his client as a “very vulnerable and disadvantaged human being” who has received diagnoses of epilepsy, autism and learning disabilities. Mr Adams further stated that Siddell’s family members have “exaggerated John’s ill-health throughout his life to get some financial benefit”.

Barrister Nicholas Peacock, representing James Siddell, informed the court his client came from a “generationally dysfunctional family who largely survived on the benefits system”.

Signing off her letter, Phillips added: “I want a Labour government to work and I will strive as I always have for its success and popularity, but I’m not seeing the change I think I, and the country expect, and so cannot continue to serve as a minister under the current leadership.”

This week’s reception promises to be just as grand, including a stop inside Zhongnanhai, the rarefied compound where China’s top leadership lives and works. The agenda too will be just as thorny, with Iran being a new source of tension, alongside trade, technology and Taiwan.

Corporations were reportedly asked to fork up as much as $1 million to sponsor Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s forthcoming America-themed road trip reality show, according to leaked documents.

The top $1 million package includes being featured on a stop of Duffy’s Great American Road Trip, plus “branded activations and product showcases at multiple destinations,” according to slides obtained by Politico.

The steep price tag doesn’t appear to have stopped sponsors from hitching their wagons to the show, which is set to be released this summer as part of the American 250th anniversary celebrations.

Top-tier corporations, including Toyota and Boeing, are listed as sponsors of The Great American Road Trip, Inc.m the non-profit of the same name producing the show.

“The Great American Road Trip Inc. is an independent non-profit with three key pillars: 1. To celebrate America’s 250th birthday; 2. To promote travel and tourism and; 3. To bring a focus the transportation, infrastructure and ingenuity that built America over the past 250 years and will build America over the next 250 years,” Tori Barnes, executive director of the group, told The Independent via email when asked about the reported sponsorship packages. “We are supported by partners who share these goals and believe in encouraging Americans to rediscover the people, places, and experiences that define our country.”

The Independent has contacted the Transportation Department, Toyota, and Boeing for comment.

Critics alleged that major corporations with potential business before transit regulators shouldn’t be sponsoring a media project involving the nation’s top transit official.

“One has to wonder whether the decision to prominently feature Toyota in this project is because Toyota paid for a sponsorship or because the secretary actually thinks that promoting Toyota is in the best interest of the American public, American automakers and the people that work for that industry,” Donald Sherman, president of the watchdog group Citizens for Ethics and Responsibility, told NPR.

The group has filed a complaint with the DOT’s inspector general, asking for an investigation into whether Duffy violated federal gift and travel rules.

“Production costs were paid for by the Great American Road Trip Inc., not taxpayers,” Duffy wrote last week on X. “Zero taxpayer dollars were spent on my family…Neither myself nor my family received a salary or production royalties. The five part series will be freely accessible by the public on YouTube.”

Outside of ethics concerns, critics have alleged the sight of Duffy taking a made-for-TV road trip is insensitive, given the ongoing spike in oil prices because of the Trump administration’s decision to wage war on Iran.

“The conflict of interest here is glaring,” The View panelist Ana Navarro said recently. “I don’t know how many Americans, how many average Americans, will be able to go on a road trip when I’m paying $5.99 for a gallon of gas. It just seems that the tone deafness has no limits.”

Trump himself brushed off such Iran-related affordability concerns on Tuesday.

“I don’t think about American financial situation — I don’t think about anybody,” he told reporters. “I think about one thing: We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon.”

High-priced corporate donations have flowed to other Trump-related entertainment projects, including the White House ballroom and the upcoming UFC fight at the White House.

Police are appealing for any witnesses or dashcam footage

A scooter rider has been taken to hospital with “serious” injuries following a crash in Cambridge. Officers and paramedics were called at about 9.25am this morning (May 12) to Queen Edith’s Way, at the junction with Wulfstan Way, to the crash.

The collision involved a grey Hyundai Tucson and a white Piaggio MP3 three-wheeled scooter. A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “The scooter rider, a 55-year-old man from London, was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with serious injuries.”

The Hyundai driver, a 44-year-old woman from Milton Keynes, was uninjured and arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving and driving while unfit through drugs. She remains in custody.

Police have asked for any witnesses or anyone who has dashcam footage to report it. You can do this through the force website by quoting reference 35/35105/26, or Operation Bodmin. Anyone without internet access should call 101.

But Guardiola says it is up to the players to take VAR out of the equation.

“When this happens it is because we have to do better, not the referees or VAR,” he continued.

“I never trust anything since I arrived a long time ago. Always I learned you have to do it better, do it better, be in a position to do it better because you blame yourself with what you have to do, because (VAR) is a flip of a coin.”

Guardiola was speaking before Wednesday’s meeting with Palace, which they need to win to cut Arsenal‘s lead at the top of the table to two points.

That would still leave Arsenal needing to drop points in their remaining two games – against relegated Burnley and Palace – for City to have any chance of winning the Premier League title.

“Of course it is not in our hands in the Premier League. Always I say to the players, ‘Do it, do it, do it better’,” Guardiola added.

“The only thing we can do is do it better, that is only in your control.”

Guardiola’s side will play in their third FA Cup final in three seasons when they meet Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday.