Rachel Reeves pleaded with Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to stay in the north west, as he continues to be linked with an attempt to depose Sir Keir Starmer.

The Chancellor used a media interview to suggest the former Labour cabinet minister should serve out a full term running the city until 2028.

The remarks will be seen as a clear warning to Mr Burnham and his soft left Labour allies to stay in his lane.

Despite twice failing to be elected Labour leader before quitting the Commons to become a local politician, Mr Burnham has repeatedly refused to rule out trying to make a pitch for Sir Keir’s job.

Polls have suggested that he is the favourite with voters – if not party members – to replace Sir Keir.

The Mail On Sunday reported that Commons allies of the mayor had said they had found him a seat which was ‘likely to come free’ in the coming months.

Rumours of a potential leadership challenge have intensified in recent weeks, with a Labour briefing war over suggestions of a coup last month focusing attention on the Prime Minister’s position.

But Ms Reeves told Channel 4 News: ‘He said that when he stood for mayor that he would serve a full term – and I think that is the right thing to do’.

The Chancellor used a media interview to suggest the former Labourcabinet minister should serve out a full term running the city until 2028.

Despite twice failing to be elected Labour leader before quitting the Commons to become a local politician, Mr Burnham has repeatedly refused to rule out trying to make a pitch for Sir Keir’s job.

Polls have suggested that he is the favourite with voters – if not party members – to replace Sir Keir.

She added: ‘Every election I commit to being a Parliamentarian, to being an MP for that Parliament. And that’s the commitment that Andy’s made to the people of Greater Manchester as well.’

Strategists working for Mr Burnhamhave drawn up a shortlist of potential target seats in the North West, including the Greater Manchester seat currently held by former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne.

Mr Gwynne denies he plans to stand down to allow Mr Burnham to run in his seat. But he has been suspended from the Labour Party since February following The Mail on Sunday’s revelations that he sent racist and sexist WhatsApp messages – and is not expected to resume his Westminster career.

On Saturday, a Labour MP who backs Mr Burnham said: ‘It’s happening. We are on the brink of securing a seat which is likely to come free shortly and where the polls say Andy would beat Reform.’

Under the Burnham leadership plan, the mayor would apply for selection in a seat made vacant for him, with the by-election held on or before the elections for local councils and devolved parliaments in May.

Those elections are expected to be so disastrous for the party that Sir Keir is likely to face a challenge to his leadership within weeks.

The Prime Minister could block Mr Burnham’s selection through the party’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) but to do so would be seen as a humiliating admission of weakness.

However the PM is believed to be lining up the State Opening of Parliament for May 12 or 13 – less than a week from the polls.

One government source told the BBC that the King’s Speech would blunt an expected backlash against Sir Keir’s agenda.

‘It will be much harder for somebody to challenge the PM and say we need to go in a different direction when the King is about to come to parliament to announce what we’re doing for the next year,’ they said.

Downing Street refused to comment on ‘speculation’, saying the date will be announced ‘in the normal way’.