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Burnham Attempts 'Granita Pact' with Rayner in Bid to Oust Starmer Andy Burnham is reportedly offering Angela Rayner a power-sharing deal, echoing the Blair-Brown Granita Pact, in a bid to seize leadership of the Labour Party if Keir Starmer faces a vote of no confidence after the local elections. Rayner has reportedly dismissed the offer. The Labour Party is facing internal turmoil as speculation mounts regarding the potential for a leadership challenge following the upcoming local and devolved elections on May 7th. Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, is reportedly attempting to secure support for a leadership bid, and has allegedly made a significant offer to Angela Rayner, the former Deputy Prime Minister. This offer, according to sources, includes the promise of any Cabinet position she desires and a commitment from Burnham to step aside, allowing Rayner to succeed him as leader and potentially become Prime Minister.The proposal is deliberately reminiscent of the historic Granita Pact of 1994, a private agreement between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown that paved the way for Blair’s leadership and eventual electoral success for Labour. The Granita Pact involved a pre-arranged understanding regarding the future leadership of the party, and Burnham’s approach to Rayner appears to be an attempt to replicate that dynamic.Secret discussions regarding this potential arrangement reportedly took place earlier this month at Rayner’s home in Greater Manchester, indicating a concerted effort to build a coalition. However, the overture appears to have been firmly rejected by Rayner and her allies. Sources close to her have indicated that she believes she is capable of winning a leadership contest on her own merits and has no intention of accepting a subordinate role.This dismissal underscores Rayner’s ambition and confidence in her own political standing. A key obstacle for Burnham is his current position as Mayor of Greater Manchester. He is not currently a Member of Parliament, and his previous attempt to return to Westminster through a by-election in Gorton and Denton was blocked by Sir Keir Starmer.This situation would leave Burnham sidelined and unable to directly participate in a leadership contest or assume the role of Prime Minister even if Rayner were to support his initial bid. The possibility of a disastrous performance in the May 7th elections is fueling the internal maneuvering. Predictions of potential losses exceeding 1,500 council seats have prompted discussions among Labour MPs about triggering a vote of no confidence in Starmer.A source close to Rayner vehemently dismissed the suggestion of a number two role, stating it was 'outrageous' to imply she needed to rely on anyone else for her success, highlighting her self-made political journey. The situation is further complicated by reports that Burnham’s supporters may be involved in circulating a letter calling for Starmer’s resignation, and even exploring the possibility of an MP voluntarily stepping down to create a seat for Burnham in Parliament.The potential for a leadership contest is intensifying as the election results draw nearer. Should Labour suffer significant losses, MPs are expected to actively push for Starmer to announce a timetable for his departure, potentially before the party conference in the autumn. This would allow for an orderly leadership election and the selection of a new leader.Several MPs from the North-West have been mentioned as potential candidates to vacate their seats for Burnham, including Marie Rimmer, Charlotte Nichols, and Peter Dowd, although Rimmer and Nichols have publicly stated they have not been approached about such an arrangement. The circulating statement advocating for Starmer’s resignation is intended to gain momentum following the anticipated poor election results. The entire scenario highlights the deep divisions within the Labour Party and the growing anxiety about its electoral prospects.The comparison to the Granita Pact serves as a stark reminder of past power struggles and the lengths to which ambitious politicians will go to secure leadership positions. The outcome of the May 7th elections will undoubtedly be a pivotal moment for the Labour Party, potentially triggering a significant shift in its leadership and direction.The current situation is a complex interplay of ambition, strategy, and the looming threat of electoral failure, all contributing to a period of intense uncertainty for the party