In a move that could potentially reshape the political landscape, former Labour minister Andrew Gwynne is reportedly on the brink of standing down as an MP, according to senior party officials and ministers. This development has sparked speculation that it could pave the way for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to return to the House of Commons and potentially challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the party leadership.
Gwynne, who was elected as a Labour MP, was suspended from the party last year following the publication of offensive messages he had sent in a WhatsApp group. The parliamentary commissioner for standards has been investigating the matter, but the inquiry remains ongoing after 11 months.
The potential departure of Gwynne from the House of Commons would trigger a by-election in his Gorton and Denton constituency, which Labour won in the last election with a comfortable majority of 13,000 votes. While the announcement of Gwynne’s resignation is not yet certain, sources indicate that he has reached an agreement on a pension that would allow him to retire on medical grounds.
The speculation surrounding Burnham’s potential return to Westminster has added an intriguing twist to the situation. The Greater Manchester Mayor has previously not ruled out the possibility of challenging Sir Keir Starmer for the party leadership, stating that he is not going to “rule out what might or might not happen in the future.”
However, Burnham would need to secure a seat in the House of Commons before he could formally enter any leadership race. While a seat in Greater Manchester could potentially become available, he would require approval from Labour’s national executive committee, a body that is largely controlled by Starmer’s allies.
If selected as Labour’s candidate, Burnham would still need to win the by-election in Gorton and Denton, a task that may prove challenging given the party’s current popularity levels. Recent polling, however, suggests that Labour could hold on to the seat.
In the 2024 general election, Gwynne won the Gorton and Denton constituency with a significant majority of 18,000 votes, while the Reform UK candidate came second with 5,000 votes, just ahead of the Greens.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has acknowledged Gwynne’s “very serious health challenges” and wished him and his family well, while emphasizing the need for “strong candidates” to represent the party, whether in national government or local leadership roles.
As the situation continues to unfold, the potential return of Andy Burnham to Westminster and his possible leadership ambitions will undoubtedly be a topic of intense speculation and discussion within the Labour Party and beyond.