The path to the Labour leadership is fraught with obstacles for Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor. As he contemplates a return to Westminster, the former Labour minister must navigate a complex political landscape to challenge Sir Keir Starmer’s position.
Burnham’s potential candidacy is triggered by the departure of Andrew Gwynne, the MP for Denton and Gorton, on medical grounds. This opens the door for Burnham to seek the Labour nomination in the resulting by-election. However, the party’s rules require the National Executive Committee to grant “express permission” before directly-elected mayors can stand for parliamentary seats. This presents the first hurdle, as the party leadership may view Burnham’s ambitions as politically risky and costly.
Furthermore, there are those within Labour who are wary of Burnham’s previous “manoeuvring for the top job,” as the article states. This could make his path to the leadership even more challenging, should he secure the party’s nomination and win the by-election.
If Burnham is rejected by the party, he has the platform and profile to potentially “do the prime minister real damage,” should he choose to do so. This scenario could create further turmoil within the Labour ranks.
However, if Burnham does become the Labour candidate and wins the by-election, he would arrive in Westminster at a crucial time for the party. With Labour’s popularity having “nosedived” since the last general election, and the Conservatives facing mounting challenges, Burnham could position himself as a potential successor to Starmer.
The article paints a complex and twisting path for Burnham, with no guarantee of success. But the potential rewards, both for Burnham and the Labour Party, are significant. The by-election in Burnham’s home turf of Greater Manchester is shaping up to be a closely watched political spectacle in the coming months.
