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If Andy Burnham steps down as Mayor of Greater Manchester, do you think Gary Neville should replace him? Labour insiders have reportedly discussed the former footballer entering politics.

Mr Burnham has confirmed he intends to stand for Labour in the upcoming Makerfield by-election in a bid to return to Parliament. This comes amid Labour infighting, with pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to step back as Prime Minister and start a leadership battle.

The former Manchester United captain has been raised as a potential candidate for the city’s mayoralty. Neville has become an outspoken political commentator, joining the Labour Party in 2022 as he criticised the Tory government and called out inequality.

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The Salford-born pundit has been involved with a number of regeneration projects in Greater Manchester, including Hotel Football and the St Michael’s development.

Labour sources have said that, while no formal approach to Neville has been made, his celebrity profile and popularity could make him a good candidate.

One Labour insider told Sky that the party is concerned that Mr Burnham leaving the mayoralty will cause “a huge political and media vacuum” in Greater Manchester.

Mr Burnham has been the Mayor since 2017 and has been praised by supporters for his work during the COVID pandemic and for bringing the Manchester bus services under public control.

But there are concerns that Labour turning to “celebrity politics” would hand over one of the UK’s largest devolved powers to someone with no experience.

Neville has never held public office and has previously denied wanting to become a politician, despite how vocal he often is on national and local issues.