Andy Burnham, the popular Mayor of Greater Manchester, has announced his intention to stand in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election. This decision has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, as Burnham looks to return to Westminster and bolster the Labour Party’s defences against a growing threat from the Reform party.
Burnham’s move comes after the current MP, Andrew Gwynne, announced he is standing down for health reasons. Gwynne was previously sacked as a minister and suspended from the Labour Party over offensive messages in a WhatsApp group. Burnham has now applied to the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) for permission to contest the by-election, with the aim of “mounting the strongest possible defence of what we stand for”.
In a letter to the NEC, Burnham stressed that he wishes to “back the UK government from inside the Commons, not undermine it”. He spoke passionately about Manchester’s proud tradition of standing for the equality of all people, and his desire to continue that legacy from the front lines of Westminster.
Burnham’s announcement has been welcomed by several senior Labour figures, including former party leader Ed Miliband, who described the Greater Manchester Mayor as a “massive asset” who would be a valuable addition to Keir Starmer’s team in Parliament. However, reports suggest that some Starmer supporters on the NEC may attempt to block Burnham’s candidacy, either out of fear it could destabilise the Prime Minister or to prevent a by-election for the Greater Manchester mayoralty.
Labour’s deputy leader, Angela Rayner, has warned against such a move, arguing that the choice of candidate should be left to local members. She emphasised the need for Labour to be “pulling together” and putting its “best players on the pitch” for this crucial by-election.
The decision by Burnham to seek a return to Westminster comes at a pivotal moment for the Labour Party. With the latest polling suggesting the Reform party could make gains in Greater Manchester, there are concerns that Burnham’s departure as Mayor could see the city-region fall into Reform’s hands. However, Burnham’s supporters argue that his leadership and profile could be the key to securing a Labour victory in the by-election and beyond.
As the internal Labour process unfolds, the political spotlight will be firmly fixed on Burnham’s bid and the party’s handling of this high-stakes decision. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for both Burnham’s political future and the broader battle for the soul of the Labour movement.
