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Andy Burnham Confirmed he is seeking to represent Labor in Gorton and Denton by-electionpaving the way for a return to parliament Potential leadership challenges To Sir Keir Starmer.
Greater Manchester’s mayor said the decision was “difficult” but now was “the moment for the strongest possible defense of Labour’s values” as he asked for permission from Labour’s powerful governing body to The National Executive Committee (NEC), whose members include many Starmer loyalists.
In a letter to the National Electoral Commission after the 5pm application deadline passed, Burnham said he would support the government “not undermine it” and that he had conveyed that assurance to the prime minister.
But a civil war within the party over his future has intensified, with Labor MPs accusing him of “expressing himself” and suggesting he is “plotting” a leadership bid, while senior party figures insist he should not be blocked from running.
independent It is understood that MPs have Warned the party that Sir Keir could face a leadership vote if he moves to prevent Mr Burnham from running It would suggest that “nasty factionalism” is more important than defeating Nigel Farage’s reformists.
House of Commons makes comeback Burnham has long been seen as a potential rival for the chancellor and will put increasing pressure on the embattled prime minister Labor trails the reformists in opinion polls.
Burnham said in the letter that he came forward after “careful consideration of what is in the best interests of our party and the city district I represent.”
Without mentioning the name of the reformists who came in second at the last election, he said there was now “a brand of politics designed to pit people against each other that poses a direct threat to everything Greater Manchester has ever been about”.
He added: “I see this by-election as the front line in the fight for Manchester and I feel like I owe it to the city to thank the city that has given me a lot of help to be able to lead this by-election from the front, despite the risks.”
While he said he appreciated the government’s work on issues such as rail renationalization and the housing crisis, he said he wanted to help the government “go further and faster”.
Within hours, Scottish Labor MP Joanne Reid publicly voiced her disapproval, warning that “this disruption is energy-sucking, which is why many of us may prefer Andy Burnham to stay away from this.”
She said being mayor was “a bigger job than being a backbencher. So he’s either looking for a quieter life or he’s plotting. If it’s the latter, that’s the last thing we need before the May election.”
Another Labor MP said: “This is just a pointless distraction and self-exhibition from Andy. He doesn’t seem to care about the damage it will do to the party, politics as a whole or Manchester. Even those who don’t think the Prime Minister is doing a great job think it is laughably self-centred.”
September, Mr. Burnham Slams those demanding he make ‘simple declaration of loyalty’ Sir Keir warned they were underestimating the “danger” Labor faces in May’s Scottish, Welsh and English parliamentary elections.
it’s coming after prime minister Compare him to former Prime Minister Liz Trusssuggesting his economic plans would be disastrous for the country.
Mr Burnham re-emphasized his economic stance this week, repeating his claim that the UK is too “constrained by bond markets” as he laid out the case for “business-friendly socialism”.
Mr Burnham is regarded as one of Labour’s most effective communicators and is popular with the public. But news on Thursday that he might enter parliament shocked markets, suggesting his leadership ambitions could be weighed down.
Labor deputy leader Lucy Powell, an ally of Mr Burnham, told a Fabian Society meeting on Saturday that the question of whether the Mayor of Greater Manchester should represent Gorton and Denton “should be decided by Andy and local members”.
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan also told the meeting that Mr Burnham should be allowed to stand and said he would campaign for him. “I firmly believe that the best teams have all the talented players,” he said.
When asked whether Mr Burnham should stand, Health Secretary Wes Streeting was reluctant to answer, saying: “It’s a matter for the party, not the cabinet, and I’ve been told clearly that’s my answer.”
As Labor mayor, Burnham must apply to the National Electoral Commission for permission to stand in the by-election. It was unclear when the committee would make its decision, but shortly after he announced the decision, Labor MPs put pressure on the committee not to block him.
Connor Naismith, the Labor MP for Crewe and Nantwich, wrote on Twitter: “There is no valid reason to deny a candidate like Andy admission to the party.”
a Labor MP told independent: “If Keir Starmer and (his chief of staff) Morgan McSweeney press ahead with a seam to prevent the Mayor of Greater Manchester from being a candidate… it will do huge damage to the party in the north and nationally and will cause a huge backlash among the People’s Party, party members, unions and voters, including in Gorton and Denton.
“If Keir Starmer tries to stitch up Burnham and succeeds, this will decide Keir Starmer’s fate. If Keir Starmer tries and fails, the outcome will be the same. Starmer should step back from this madness and coach those around him to do the same.”
Mainstream Labor groups have also launched a petition against the “top-down stitching”, adding: “Labour can win at the Gorton and Denton by-elections if we lead with our values and allow our candidates to be elected fairly, democratically and openly.”
Labor MP Chris Webb publicly warned that blocking Mr Burnham would have “serious lasting consequences”, while fellow MP Richard Burgon wrote on the
But even some Labor MPs who were harsh critics of Sir Keir were angry with Mr Burnham.
Once told independent: “He just loves being the center of attention. This is cowardly and the worst kind of politics… There’s no question he could have been elected in 2024, but he chose not to.”
He said Mr Burnham’s decision to run was the worst possible outcome for the party. “Because now, every time someone coughs during the process, it’s distracting and a drama,” they said.
Mr Burnham served as an MP until 2017 and later became Mayor of Greater Manchester. But a path opened earlier this week when suspended Labor MP Andrew Gwynne formally resigned as an MP, citing ill health.