Why did Labor block Andy Burnham from becoming an MP?

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Andy Burnham has been blocked as a member of parliament in gorton and denton by-election Concerns over the cost of the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election.

Labor Party national executive committee (NEC) took the decision on Sunday morning through a 10-member panel led by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

Several senior figures initially called on local councilors to have the final say on whether the Mayor of Greater Manchester should be re-elected. deputy leader Lucy PowellNEC member, cabinet minister Ed Miliband The pair told a meeting in London on Saturday that the decision should be left to members.

Mr. Burnham has long been regarded as Potential rivals for Sir Keir Starmer’s premiershipThere were rumors last year that he would return to Westminster and mount a challenge to the Prime Minister.

Sources at the National Electoral Commission said there was an “overwhelming majority” against allowing Burnham to apply to run for the seat, with the party insisting he had “done a good job as mayor of Greater Manchester”.

Labor NEC blocks Andy Burnham from running in Gorton and Denton by-elections, it is understood (Nylon thread)

What did Labor say?

Labor confirmed its decision to reject the Greater Manchester mayoralty in a statement, insisting their motive was to avoid an “unnecessary election for the mayoralty of Greater Manchester”.

The party said in a statement: “Under Chapter 5, Clause IV, Clause 2 of the Labor Rulebook, directly elected mayors, police and crime commissioners must obtain the express permission of the National Executive Committee, Labour’s governing body, before seeking Labor nominations for nomination to Westminster Parliament. This rule has been introduced to avoid unnecessary costs for Labor running two political campaigns at the same time.”

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“Yesterday Andy Burnham sought permission from the National Electoral Commission to stand in the Gorton and Denton council by-elections, which will lead to the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election. The National Electoral Commission has decided not to grant Andy Burnham permission to stand.”

Shabana Mahmood chairs Labour's national executive meeting to decide whether to allow Andy Burnham to contest Gorton and Denton by-elections — Shabana Mahmood chairs Labour’s national executive meeting to decide whether to allow Andy Burnham to contest Gorton and Denton by-elections (Nylon thread)

The group explained that resources would be better focused on the upcoming local elections and that while Reform UK was confident of retaining the Greater Manchester mayoralty, Reform UK posed a significant risk to Labor seats.

It added: “The National Electoral Commission believes that an unnecessary election for the mayoralty of Greater Manchester would have a significant and disproportionate impact on the party’s campaign resources ahead of May’s local elections and the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senate elections. While the party is confident of retaining the mayoralty, the National Electoral Commission cannot put Labour’s control of Greater Manchester at any risk.”

“Andy Burnham has done a great job as Mayor of Greater Manchester. We believe it is in the party’s best interests to avoid an unnecessary mayoral election which would tie up a significant amount of taxpayers’ money and resources that would be better spent addressing the cost of living crisis.

“We look forward to contesting and winning the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-elections, and an aggressive future campaign that will be firmly focused on tackling cost of living issues and bringing investment to local areas.”

What are Labor MPs saying?

Mr. Burnham has long been regarded as Sir Keir’s leadership rival, There was speculation last year that he might seek a return to Westminster. His return to parliament is backed by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who calls him “a huge asset”, and Angela Rayner is also reported to be backing him.

Andy Burnham poses with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband (Public Broadcasting Archives)

Labor MP Richard Bergen He called for an “emergency meeting of the National Electoral Commission”, accusing the party leadership of preparing to lose the by-election to protect “factional interests”.

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Bergen, secretary of the MPs’ Socialist Campaign Group, said: “Keir Starmer and his clique have shown they are prepared to let Gorton and Denton lose to reform – simply to protect narrow factional interests.

“Weak leadership will only deepen the crisis facing the party. It is time to convene an emergency meeting of the National Electoral Commission to resolve this mess.”

Former cabinet minister Louise Hague said the decision was “incredibly disappointing” and called on the National Electoral Commission to “change course and make the right decision”.

She told PA: “Otherwise I think we would all regret it.”

Steve Reid says he looks forward to Andy Burnham returning to parliament 'in due course' — Steve Reid says he looks forward to Andy Burnham returning to parliament ‘in due course’ (Getty Images)

Business Secretary Steve Reed defended the decision to block the mayoral races of Gorton and Denton, pointing out that Mr Burnham still had two years left in his term as mayor.

“Voters don’t like mid-term elections. Two years ago people in Greater Manchester voted overwhelmingly for Andy Burnham to be mayor for four years,” he told the BBC.

“In a democracy, politicians are elected to a one-term term. The mayor of Greater Manchester has a four-year term. He is now halfway through his term.

“So we will not go back and ask the people of Greater Manchester, of which more than two million people have the right to vote, to elect someone else to deliver the next two tasks [years]because we can choose different candidates for the Gorton and Denton by-elections, we will defend the Labor Government. “