US EditionBurnham says by-election bid was not an attempt to ‘undermine’ Starmer
Labour NEC blocked Burnham to avoid costly mayoral election and protect resources ahead of local polls; 50 MPs opposed the decision, fearing advantage to Reform UK.
- On January 24, 2026, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, applied to Labour's NEC at 5pm to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election but was blocked by a 10-member NEC group including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, preventing his return next month.
- Officially, the block was justified by the risk of a costly mayoral rerun and resource diversion, with officials citing Reform's potential to win Manchester and critics accusing Sir Keir Starmer and allies of factional motives.
- Declaring he `wasn't coming in to undermine him or the Government,` Andy Burnham said he asked to speak to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and welcomed their Monday `fair exchange` while criticising Westminster's anonymous briefings.
- Around 50 Labour MPs signed a letter objecting, escalating dissent as the blocked bid removed a left-wing challenger and Labour faces Reform and the Greens in the Gorton and Denton seat.
- On Monday the pair spoke to each other to try to clear the air, while Sir Keir Starmer praised Andy Burnham as an `excellent` mayor during talks on Monday and Tuesday before the Gorton and Denton by-election.
17 Articles
17 Articles
The renewal of Gorton and Denton's seat in the House of Commons has led the Prime Minister to block the candidacy of his rival Andy Burnham, the mayor of Grand Man...
If Andy Burnham Had the Cojones He'd Stand as an Independent and be PM in Six Months
Keir Starmer may have scuppered Andy Burnham's leadership bid by blocking him from standing for Labour. But if he had the cojones, says Nick Rendell, he'd stand as an independent – and likely be PM in six months' time.
Ted Newson: Starmer is a uniquely useless technocrat
Ted Newson is a political commentator with Young Voices UK. Whenever faced with a difficult choice, Keir Starmer seems uniquely capable of making the worst of a good option. For example, while the prospect of Andy Burnham challenging him for the leadership was tricky, it could also have presented an opportunity to show strength. By suggesting to the NEC that Burnham should be approved as a by-election candidate, Starmer could have sidelined him …
Andy Burnham would have given Labour ‘commanding lead’ in Gorton and Denton by-election, new polling reveals
A new poll suggests Labour could have secured a decisive win in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election if Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham had been allowed to stand. The first poll of voters ahead of the critical Manchester by-election put Labour on 27%, with Reform slightly ahead at 30%, and the Greens on 17%. However, the same poll predicts that if Burnham had been allowed to run, Labour’s support would surge to 49%, leaving Reform t…
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