In a move that has sparked speculation and controversy, allies of Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, are reportedly attempting to prevent Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, from standing in an upcoming by-election in Gorton and Denton. The departure of former Labour minister Andrew Gwynne, who had the whip removed over offensive WhatsApp messages, has created a potential route for Burnham to make a comeback to the House of Commons, a move that could challenge Starmer’s leadership position.
However, according to reports, Starmer’s allies on the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) have vowed to block Burnham from standing in the May by-election. One NEC member has described an “overwhelming anti-Burnham coalition that spans left and right” on the committee, with another member stating that the prospect of a Manchester mayoral election is “worrying even the most anti-leadership members”.
The move to potentially impose a “loyalty pledge” on candidates, where they would have to confirm their allegiance to Starmer, has also been reported, a development that could further complicate Burnham’s potential leadership bid. Burnham has repeatedly declined to rule out a return to Westminster or a leadership challenge, but has urged people not to “rush to conclusions” following Gwynne’s resignation.
The timing of the by-election, which is expected to coincide with the May local elections, could give Labour a greater chance of retaining the seat, potentially against Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, which is currently riding high in nationwide opinion polls. However, the prospect of Burnham becoming an MP, a prerequisite for a potential leadership bid, just as Starmer faces his most significant challenges in office, has raised concerns within the party.
Labour insiders have expressed fears that the party could face a wipeout in some areas in the upcoming local elections, a key moment in Starmer’s tenure as Prime Minister. The move to block Burnham’s return to Westminster has been met with mixed reactions, with some Labour MPs viewing it as a “distraction” that the party “frankly doesn’t need”.
The situation remains fluid, and the outcome of the by-election and the potential leadership implications will be closely watched by both Labour supporters and the wider political landscape.
