US EditionPM defends Burnham block saying it will allow focus on elections 'we must win'
Sir Keir Starmer said blocking Andy Burnham avoids diverting Labour's resources from crucial local and national elections in May, with NEC voting 8-1 against Burnham's candidacy.
- On Monday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defended the Labour National Executive Committee's decision to block Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, saying Burnham is doing a `great job` but running would `divert our resources` from May elections.
- On Sunday, a 10-strong group from Labour's NEC voted against Mr Burnham, with the NEC recording an eight-to-one vote and Shabana Mahmood abstaining, after Andrew Gwynne agreed to stand down.
- Citing costs and electoral risk, the NEC argued the mayoral by-election and potential loss of the Greater Manchester mayoralty justified denying Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, permission to run.
- On Monday, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said he was disappointed and would return with full focus to his mayoral job, while Labour backbenchers urged the NEC to reverse its ruling.
- Starmer framed the contest as Labour v Reform and argued Labour must concentrate resources on the run-up to May's local and devolved elections, saying `We need all of our focus on those elections`.
38 Articles
38 Articles
The Labour leadership has prevented a popular potential challenger of Keir Starmer from running for a seat in parliament.
Blocking Andy Burnham makes Keir Starmer look 'weak and insecure', says Scots MP
Brian Leishman said Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) should meet again and reverse the decision to prevent the Greater Manchester Mayor from making the Gorton and Denton by-election shortlist.
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