Andy Burnham has been denied the opportunity to run in an upcoming by-election by the governing body of the Labour Party.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester expressed his desire to compete for the Gorton & Denton seat, which could have led him back to the Westminster. However, a key faction of Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC), including Keir Starmer, voted decisively against him in a brief meeting, with only Deputy Leader Lucy Powell supporting Burnham’s candidacy.
This decision is expected to spark internal discord within the Labour Party between those advocating for Burnham’s candidacy and those angered by what they perceive as his strategic political moves. Burnham’s open aspirations for leadership, including his disruptive actions at a previous Labour conference, have irked supporters of Keir Starmer.
Despite opposition, several prominent Labour figures, such as Ed Miliband, Lucy Powell, Angela Rayner, and Sadiq Khan, argued in favor of allowing Burnham to stand for election.
Critics have pointed out the financial implications of holding a by-election to replace Burnham as Mayor of Greater Manchester, stressing the need for Labour to concentrate its efforts on the Gorton by-election and the upcoming crucial elections in Scotland, Wales, and local English councils.
In response to the decision, Labour stated that the NEC opted not to grant Andy Burnham permission to run, citing concerns about the significant impact on party resources and the risk of losing control of Greater Manchester if an unnecessary mayoral election is held. The party emphasized Burnham’s effective mayorship and pledged to focus on winning the Gorton and Denton by-election, with a campaign centered on addressing the cost of living crisis and boosting local investment.
Shabana Mahmood, Home Secretary and NEC chair, urged party members to unite and avoid engaging in divisive political dramas similar to those of the Conservative Party, emphasizing the importance of maintaining public trust.
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of MP Andrew Gwynne on health grounds, who had faced disciplinary actions in the past. Labour faces a challenging electoral battle in Gorton & Denton, with competition from Reform UK and the Green Party amid declining poll ratings.