Andy Burnham Withdraws from Festival of Childhood Keynote Speech

Andy Burnham pulled out of a keynote speech he was scheduled to deliver on Friday morning at the second annual Festival of Childhood, which was to be held at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum. Organisers announced at the last moment this evening that Andy Burnham would not deliver the keynote speech. No reason was given for Andy Burnham's withdrawal.

A spokesman for the children's commissioner's office confirmed that Andy Burnham would not be attending the event at all. The development comes as reports emerged that Ed Miliband called on Sir Keir Starmer to set out a timeline for his departure. Ed Miliband made the suggestion during a private meeting with Sir Keir Starmer about a fortnight ago.

Sources close to the Energy Secretary told The Times that Ed Miliband made the suggestion. Mere days ago it was reported that Andy Burnham hatched a plan to return to Westminster within weeks. Andy Burnham wants to challenge the Prime Minister directly.

The Mayor cleared his first hurdle in his bid to topple Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader when the PM's allies on Labour's ruling body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), are no longer willing to stand in his way. In order to stand as an MP, Andy Burnham must secure the NEC's permission to quit as Greater Manchester Mayor.

GB News reported the sequence of developments surrounding the Labour figures.

The last-ditch exit from the Manchester event came just as the reports about internal Labour discussions surfaced. Burnham had been set to address the Festival of Childhood on Friday before the abrupt change of plan this evening.