By Neal Keeling

Copyright manchestereveningnews

One of Keir Starmer’s staunchest supporters has praised Andy Burnham. As speculation continues about Greater Manchester’s Mayor mounting a bid to replace the Prime Minister his Chancellor was put on the spot. When questioned about “rumours swirling around at the moment” about a possible “leadership bid” Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said Andy Burnham is doing a “great job in Manchester”. She told broadcasters: “He committed to serve a full term as mayor of Greater Manchester. “Keir Starmer won the general election last year, and he will get on and do that job, and I’ll get on with my job as well, being Chancellor of the Exchequer.” Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here The Burnham question is bound to cast a a shadow over the Labour Party conference which is being held in Liverpool from tomorrow (Septemebr 28) until October 1. As is the likely two-horse race for the post of Deputy Leader of the Labour Party vacated by Angela Rayner. Manchester MP, Lucy Powell – a strong Burnham supporter – and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson are expected to be the final candidates for the role. But the chairman of the Labour Party, Anna Turley, says Andy Burnham ’s leadership manoeuvrings are frustrating Labour MPs, as she called for unity behind the Prime Minister’s vision Asked about Mr Burnham’s recent interventions, Ms Turley said: “Andy Burnham has a big profile. He’s doing a great job in Manchester. You know, he’s made commitments to the people of Manchester. I think we need a party that’s united.” Ms Turley, who was brought in as party chairwoman in the reshuffle earlier this month, told the PA news agency: “If the polls aren’t looking great, people always get a little bit wobbly. Politics is littered with ambition.” Mr Burnham fuelled the talk in a New Statesman interview published earlier this week by criticising the government’s approach, saying the party needs to find ‘our plan to turn the country around’. Speculation intensified as Mr Burnham confirmed in a Telegraph interview on Wednesday (September 24) that he was approached by Labour MPs about succeeding Keir Starmer over the summer. But the morning after the interview, the mayor clarified his comments and said he is ‘ready to support the Prime Minister and the government’. But with Reform ahead of Labour in the polls the possibility of a coup at Number 10 remains. Mr Burnham told BBC Radio Manchester: “MPs were in touch with me, but let me also give an honest explanation of what I said to those MPs. It’s not up to me. It’s not my decision. That’s a matter for you and the party in Parliament.” While he said he has ‘no intention of abandoning what we are trying to build’ in Greater Manchester, he also re-iterated the government’s approach to winning over voters. “We need a proper plan for the country and a proper plan to beat Reform,” he told listeners. “That’s the issue you have to get into. It’s the issue Labour Conference should be completely focused on. “That’s where we are this morning. I did say in the interview that I am ready to support the Prime Minister and the government in getting that plan.”