The decision to block Andy Burnham running in a parliamentary by-election is “done” and “dusted”, a Cabinet minister insisted after around 50 Labour MPs signed a letter objecting to the move.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed rejected suggestions that denying the Greater Manchester mayor’s bid to stand in the upcoming Gorton and Denton contest stemmed from fears of Sir Keir Starmer facing a leadership challenge.
The Prime Minister is facing a backlash within Labour ranks over the move, with dozens of MPs and peers understood to have signed a letter saying there is “no legitimate reason” for the decision.
The letter, a copy of which has been seen by the Press Association, also warns denying local members real choice reinforces the idea that politics is a “remote stitch-up” by a “small group of people at the very top in London”.
Speaking to broadcasters on Tuesday, Mr Reed said MPs who had signed the letter are “entitled to their view”, but that it is “reasonable” for people in Manchester to have the mayor continue in his existing role until the end of his term.
“They’re entitled to their view, of course they are, but Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee took the decision this weekend that it is better for Andy Burnham to continue to serve out his full four-year term as mayor of Manchester,” he told BBC Breakfast.
Asked whether the move was linked to anxieties about the prospect of a challenge to Sir Keir’s position, he told Times Radio: “No, it’s got absolutely nothing to do with that at all.”
He added: “(Mr Burnham) made a commitment to serve that four-year term, and it’s reasonable that the people of Manchester should have him continuing doing, frankly, the outstanding job that he’s doing until his term comes to an end.
“It’s a decision that’s done and it’s dusted.”
A 10-strong group from Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC), including the Prime Minister, voted on Sunday to deny Mr Burnham permission to run in the by-election.
Sir Keir defended the decision on Monday, arguing that allowing Mr Burnham to run for a Westminster seat would divert Labour’s resources away from campaigns for the local elections in May.
He said the “battle of our times” is between Labour and Reform UK rather than within his own party, despite internal anger over the move, and he appealed for unity in seeing off the challenge.
But critics accused Sir Keir and his allies of preventing Mr Burnham’s candidacy for factional reasons, fearing a leadership challenge from the mayor as both Labour’s poll ratings and his personal approval flounder.
In their letter, addressed to the Prime Minister, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood in her role as chairwoman of the NEC, and Labour general secretary Hollie Ridley, MPs said: “The decision by the NEC sub-committee to block Andy Burnham in Gorton and Denton has caused a huge amount of anxiety and anger amongst colleagues in the Parliamentary Labour Party, and amongst our local members around the country.”
They added: “At this moment of serious public cynicism about politics, denying our local members real choice and a chance to exercise their democratic voice only reinforces the idea that politics is a remote stitch-up from a small group of people at the very top in London.”
The names of the signatories are not expected to be made public.
At a closed-doors meeting of the PLP on Monday, Attorney General Lord Hermer sought to rally MPs ahead of the forthcoming contest in Manchester, insisting the party would “change this country for the better”.
The senior minister said: “I do not for one minute underestimate the political challenge we face, or how many people do not trust politicians and will not do so until they can at least feel we are making a difference.
“But nor do I underestimate this party, and my passionate belief that as our policies take hold, we will change this country for the better and for the long-term.”
Some among those leaving Monday’s PLP meeting were supportive of the message to unite the party after the weekend’s drama, with one describing Lord Hermer’s speech as a “tour de force” and claiming the mood was good humoured.
But others remained unconvinced, with one telling the Press Association: “Defeat in Gorton and Denton in February means it’s all over for Keir after May’s elections if they go as expected.
“Either No 10 are just clueless at political management – or those around Keir are manoeuvring to get him out of the way and (Wes) Streeting in as soon as possible.”
Mr Burnham has said he was “disappointed” by the decision and “concerned about its potential impact on the important elections ahead of us”.
In a statement on social media, he insisted he would “return with full focus” to his mayoral job and he urged unity in the face of “the divisive politics of Reform”.
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