Labour’s leadership has blocked Andy Burnham from applying for MP selection in a move that will anger backbenchers and potentially weaken Sir Keir Starmer’s prime ministership.
The National Executive Committee (NEC), which is chaired by home secretary Shabana Mahmood and also includes Sir Keir, has rebuffed Mr Burnham’s application to become Labour’s candidate in the upcoming by-election in Gorton and Denton. The vote was 8-1 against the mayor of Greater Manchester.
The decision is likely to provoke backlash from MPs supportive of Mr Burnham, and goes against views of other Labour ministers who called for local members to be allowed to decide the result.
Allies of Sir Keir were worried that allowing Mr Burnham a path back to Westminster might pose a threat to his leadership. Mr Burnham wrote to the NEC on Saturday asking for permission to enter the process for selection for the forthcoming by-election. He said he wanted to run a “hopeful and unifying campaign” and promised to “support the work of the government, not undermine it”.
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Andy Burnham: Could the ‘King of the North’ return to Westminster and nab the top job?
Key Points
- Breaking: Andy Burnham blocked from running in Gorton and Denton by election
- Burnham blocked by 8 votes to 1 - and Keir Starmer voted against him
- Labour Party explains why Burnham was blocked in statement
- Leaked letter shows members of NEC calling for ‘pause’ in Burnham decision amid fears of a stitch up
- The powerful Labour group who will decide Burnham’s fate
John McDonnell says vote to block Andy Burnham is 'disgusting decision'
13:14 , Holly BancroftFormer shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, has said that Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to block Andy Burnham from running in the Gorton and Denton by-election is “disgusting”.
A sub-committee of the National Executive Committee voted on Mr Burnham’s bid this morning. The committee, which includes Sir Keir and is chaired by home secretary Shabana Mahmood, voted against Mr Burnham by 8-1.
Ms Mahmood reportedly abstained from voting due to her role as chair, and deputy leader of the Labour Party Lucy Powell voted in favour of Mr Burnham.
Mr McDonnell reacted to the news, saying: “Message to Keir: Do not underestimate the depth of anger people will feel about this disgusting decision. If you think it strengthens you I tell you it will simply hasten your demise.
“You could have shown magnanimous leadership but instead it’s cowardice.”
Labour says it wanted to avoid Manchester mayoral election in statement explaining why Burnham was blocked
13:01 , Holly BancroftLabour has confirmed that its National Executive Committee has blocked Andy Burnham from standing in Gorton and Denton, saying it wanted to avoid “an unnecessary by-election” for the Greater Manchester mayoralty.
In a statement, the party said: “Directly-elected mayors and police and crime commissioners must seek the express permission of Labour’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee, before seeking nomination as a Labour candidate for the Westminster Parliament in accordance with Chapter 5, Clause IV, 2 of the Labour Party Rule Book.
“This rule was put in place to avoid the party incurring unnecessary costs of running two simultaneous political campaigns.
“Yesterday Andy Burnham sought such permission from the NEC to stand in the Gorton and Denton parliamentary by-election, which would have led to a mayoral by-election in Greater Manchester.
“The NEC has decided not to grant Andy Burnham permission to stand.
“The NEC believes that causing an unnecessary election for the position of Greater Manchester mayor would have a substantial and disproportionate impact on party campaign resources before the local elections and elections to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd in May.
“Although the party would be confident of retaining the mayoralty, the NEC could not put Labour’s control of Greater Manchester at any risk.
“Andy Burnham is doing a great job as mayor of Greater Manchester. We believe it is in the best interests of the party to avoid an unnecessary mayoral election which would use substantial amounts of taxpayers’ money and resources that are better spent tackling the cost of living crisis.
“We look forward to fighting and winning the upcoming by-election in Gorton and Denton and the positive campaign ahead which will be firmly focused on tackling the cost of living and bringing investment to the local area.”
Burnham’s fate was sealed in just one hour - and Keir Starmer voted against him
12:44 , Holly BancroftThe meeting of Labour’s powerful ruling body which blocked Andy Burnham from standing to become an MP again lasted only around an hour, writes Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin.
The vote was 8-1 against Mr Burnham, with only his long time ally Lucy Powell, the party’s deputy leader supporting him, and home secretary Shabana Mahmood abstaining, as is customary for the chair. Sir Keir Starmer voted against.
The Independent understands that concerns expressed during the meeting were around a costly election to replace him in his mayoralty position, which would allow Reform UK to run a 'toxic and divisive' campaign in Greater Manchester. But given that Mr Burnham has long been seen as one of Sir Keir's main leadership rivals, Labour will face accusations of a stitch up designed to protect the PM.
Dame Diane Abbott warns that barring Burnham 'weakens Sir Keir'
12:34 , Holly BancroftDame Diane Abbott, independent MP for Hackney North, has said that the move to block Andy Burnham from the Gorton and Denton by-election “weakens Sir Keir Starmer’s position”.
Speaking to Times Radio, she said that the vote shows “that he thinks he is weak”. She warned that if the results from the May elections are bad for Labour then “a challenger will emerge from somewhere and Starmer will be in a very difficult position”.
How have people reacted so far to news Burnham has been blocked?
12:28 , Holly BancroftIndependent MP Rosie Duffield, who left the Labour party in 2024, has reacted to news that Andy Burnham has been blocked from running to be an MP, saying it “highlights how loathed and weak Sir Keir is”.
She said it was “end days for this administration now”, adding: “Of course Starmer loyalists have blocked Andy Burnham. He’s popular and an effective leader”.
Former leader of the Green Party, Caroline Lucas, said the move was an “absolutely terrible decision - fundamentally anti-democratic and a sign of utter weakness”, adding: “It will come back to bite them”.
Andrea Egan, general secretary of UNISON, said: “I know many, many trade unionists will be so disappointed and angry at local members not being given a say over who their candidate should be.
“This isn’t the way any democratic organisation should be run. Now’s the time to unite our movement not divide it”.
Analysis: Burnham blocked – and Starmer left looking weaker
12:16 , Holly BancroftAllies of Starmer have risked short-term gain over long-term pain, writes Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin.
Andy Burnham has been blocked from standing to become an MP in the upcoming by-election, a move that could have paved a way for him to mount a leadership challenge against the prime minister.
But the result has been to leave the Labour leader looking weaker.
On Saturday senior Labour figures, including Cabinet minister Ed Miliband and London mayor Sadiq Khan said local party members should have the option of whether or not they choose Mr Burnham.
Mr Burnham had to ask permission to stand because as a metro mayor his election could trigger another, costly, election for Labour, just as Nigel Farage’s Reform UK senses blood. But the result will lead to accusations of a stitch up designed to protect a struggling, and weak, PM.
Breaking: Andy Burnham blocked from running in Gorton and Denton by election
12:05 , Holly BancroftSir Keir Starmer and his allies have blocked Andy Burnham from running in the Gorton and Denton by-election.
It has been reported that the vote was 8-1 against Mr Burnham, with Labour deputy chair Lucy Powell voting in favour and the chair Shabana Mahmood abstaining as is the convention.
Analysis: Shabana Mahmood walks a tightrope on her own ambitions
12:02 , Holly BancroftAndy Burnham’s leadership ambitions are not the only ones at stake today, writes Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin.
The decision over whether or not to let Mr Burnham stand will affect others hoping to replace Sir Keir Starmer.
Not least of those is the home secretary Shabana Mahmood, who was interviewed by Sir Tony Blair last year in a moment seen as the ex-PM endorsing her.
She is in a difficult position. They are on opposing wings of the party, although she praised him today as an “exceptional politician”.
But even though she is just one vote of 10 making today’s decision, any claims of a stitch-up risk affecting her popularity in the eyes of Labour MPs and members, who might ultimately decide who succeeds Sir Keir.
Watch: NEC members call for pause in Burnham by-election decision over stitch-up fears
11:43 , Holly BancroftUK already in 'cold war-type scenario', Lib Dem leader says
11:31 , Holly BancroftSir Ed Davey has said the UK is in a "cold war-type scenario" and called on the government to issue war bonds to increase funds available for defence spending to reduce reliance on an "unreliable" ally.
Asked whether he thinks the country is at war, Sir Ed told BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg: "I think we're in almost a cold war-type scenario, aren't we? We've seen a lot of evidence of Russia using drones, using submarines, shadow fleets and so on.
"But this is a serious threat, and we need to move far faster than what the government has been doing.
"My fear, particularly with the approach of Donald Trump, is that what we have understood for over 75 years, that the Nato alliance would hold together, there has to be a question, I regret to say, deeply regret to say, that because of Donald Trump, there has to be a question about whether we can rely on the United States.
"With him in the White House, they're no longer a reliable ally, we have to step up and fast."
The powerful Labour group who will decide Burnham’s fate
11:12 , Holly BancroftTen members of a powerful sub-committee of Labour's governing National Executive Committee will meet today to decide whether to give Andy Burnham permission to stand in the by-election, writes Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin.
The step is part of the party’s rules because of his current day job. Another election to replace him as the mayor of Greater Manchester risks costing the party hundreds of thousands of pounds, alongside the risk they could lose it to Reform.
The ten members of the group include Keir Starmer himself, who last year suggested Mr Burnham’s economic stance could lead him to become Labour’s Liz Truss. There is also Shabana Mahmood, who chairs the committee.
She called Mr Burnham an “exceptional politician” today, but they are on separate wings of the party and he could represent a threat to her own leadership ambitions. Also at the meeting will be Lucy Powell, Labour's deputy leader, and a Manchester MP known to be close to Mr Burnham.
As the sister of Starmer’s chancellor Rachel Reeves, Ellie Reeves, the solicitor general, is viewed as loyal to the current leadership, while Gurinder Singh Josan, a backbencher, is seen as a centrist and not part of the soft-left of the party supporting Burnham.
Making up the ten, for what Ms Mahmood said would be a "finely balanced" judgement are representatives from two large trade union, the GMB and USDAW, as well a Labour councillor, the party’s treasurer and a Constituency Labour Party representative.
Lid Dem leader Sir Ed Davey relieved Donald Trump 'backed down' from Afghanistan comments
10:52 , Holly BancroftLiberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey said he is relieved Donald Trump "backed down" on his suggestion Nato troops stayed "a little off" the front lines in Afghanistan, and is grateful the King wrote to the president to express concern.
Sir Ed told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: "It was quite appalling for Donald trump to make those comments, so I am relieved he's backed down, and grateful to the King for his intervention.
"But it doesn't change my view on Donald Trump, and it doesn't change my view that this government's approach to Donald Trump is not the right one."
Watch: NEC could still impose all women shortlist in Burnham by-election, says Mahmood
10:30 , Holly BancroftHome secretary: We won't hesitate to take action over harassment of women with new tech
10:17 , Holly BancroftHome secretary Shabana Mahmood has said she won’t hesitate to take action over harassment of women through new technologies after she was asked about people using smart glasses to secretly film women.
Speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Ms Mahmood said: “I think the ability of technology to be used in way that can harass women, I think it’s an ever-changing environment. We’ve taken action against intimate image abuse on nudification apps, so we take these things very very seriously. We won’t tolerate new modes of technology being used to create more violence against women and girls, more harassment.
“I will obviously look at what this case is showing. We’ve taken action before, we won’t hesitate to take action again.”
The Independent’s Nicole Wooton-Cane spoke to women who had been filmed on the street by strangers wearing smart glasses. Read their story here:
‘A stranger stopped me and asked me for my number. I didn’t know he was filming me’
Leaked letter shows members of Labour’s powerful ruling body calling for ‘pause’ in Burnham decision amid fears of a stitch up
10:03 , Holly BancroftThe BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme says it has seen a leaked letter calling for a pause in the process to decide whether or not to block Andy Burnham’s potential return to Parliament, writes Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin.
The home secretary Shabana Mahmood was told the leak showed a draft of a letter written by the full NEC, the party’s governing National Executive Committee, that suggested “any attempt to rule out certain candidates will be seen as undemocratic interference .. (and that) this current timetable should be paused so that the whole NEC committee should be included in setting out this timeline and this process.”
A sub-committee, chaired by Ms Mahmood, is due to decide on Mr Burnham’s fate later today.
She tried to brush off the criticism saying normal practice was being followed and that it was not unusual for the party to have “big rows over selection".
Earlier she said the decision was “finely balanced” for some members of the committee, because allowing him to stand risks triggering another by-election, to replace him as mayor of Greater Manchester, at a cost insiders claim could be around £1m.
Home secretary announces new 'British FBI' to run national police investigations
09:50 , Holly BancroftHome secretary Shabana Mahmood has been explaining her new reforms to the police, which will create a National Police Service to deal with counter-terror and organised crime investigations centrally.
Speaking to the BBC, Ms Mahmood said: “The purpose of my reforms is to take all of those national capabilities, like Sussex for example do all of the country’s road policing, well they should worry about the people of Sussex.
“Take all of that into the National Police Service so they do the things that have to be done at a national level, like counter-terror policing and serious organised crime, then you have regional forces that within them have local police areas, whose one job and only job is to police their local areas and to deal with the everyday crime that we know breaks communities.”
Read more about Ms Mahmood’s plans for “Britain’s FBI” here:
New ‘British FBI’ to tackle terrorism and gang crime in major police shake up
Trump apology on Afghanistan is 'as good as it gets', home secretary says
09:37 , Holly BancroftDonald Trump's praise of British forces, in which he did not apologise directly for previous comments about Nato's role in Afghanistan, is "as good as it gets" from him, the home secretary has said.
Asked about Mr Trump's comments on Saturday, Shabana Mahmood told Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: "I think it's a recognition that what was said initially was deeply offensive.
"It was really insulting to the memories of our brave soldiers who gave their lives in conflict and who came to the aid of the United States after Nato Article Five was invoked."
Asked whether it was really an apology, she said: "The president has his way.
"The prime minister, when they had a call to discuss matters relating to Ukraine and other other international issues, the Prime Minister did make the point directly to the president how we felt about the initial comments, and I think this was a response to that.
"With the president, I suspect this is as good as it gets."
The shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said that Mr Trump has to "think carefully about making future statements in such a flippant way" following his "appalling" comments on Nato troops in Afghanistan.
Asked if she believes the US president is "genuinely" sorry, Dame Priti told Trevor Phillips: "I think he is. I think he clearly recognises that what he has said was wrong, there's no doubt about that, but you know, he said it.
"And the reality is, I think there is a wider message here that he has to think carefully about making future statements in such a flippant way - that was just wrong and appalling."
Mahmood rules out BAME shortlist in seat where Burnham hopes to stand
09:25 , Holly BancroftHome secretary Shabana Mahmood has squashed suggestions of an all-BAME (Black and minority ethnic) shortlist in the seat where Andy Burnham has applied for permission to stand, writes Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin.
She told Sky News the party sometimes has all-women shortlists but adds “you can’t by law have all ethnic minority shortlists. So there is a legal position there.”
Shabana Mahmood urges Labour to avoid ‘psychodrama’ over Burnham
09:15 , Holly BancroftAndy Burnham’s decision to throw his hat in the ring for this by-election has thrust Labour’s civil war over Keir Starmer’s future into the spotlight, writes Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin.
The home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, herself tipped as a potential leadership contender, today called for cool heads to prevail. She told Sky News that Labour “get to decide if we indulge in a psychodrama”.
Overnight the backlash against Mr Burnham among Labour MPs grew, with a second MP going public with his opposition.
Earlier another MP told The Independent that Mr Bunrham's decision was a "show of ego". But his supporters fear a powerful Labour committee, chaired by Ms Mahmood, will block his return to Westminster.
Mahmood: I trust Andy Burnham when he says he supports Sir Keir
09:15 , Holly BancroftHome secretary Shabana Mahmood has said that she trusts Andy Burnham when he says he backs Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.
Speaking to BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Ms Mahmood said: “Andy has said in his own words that Keir is the best prime minister and he’s made it very clear in his letter what his motivation is for coming into parliament.”
Asking by Laura Kuenssberg if she believed Mr Burnham, Ms Mahmood replied: “I do believe him because I take him at his word. I’ve never had any reason not to take him at his word. I trust him…And I am going to take what he says at face value, because I know I can do that with Andy.”
Stopping Andy Burnham would be a 'bad look', Labour peer says
09:11 , Holly BancroftLabour peer Baroness Shami Chakrabarti has said that Andy Burnham’s bid should be decided by local members.
Speaking on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Baroness Shami said: “He should be allowed to put himself to the members of Gorton and Denton like any other candidate. I think it would be really bad look frankly if the third London Labour leadership in a row was seen to be blocking a very popular Manchester mayor in a Manchester seat, when the the big threat is the populist far right, it’s Reform, and he may well be the candidate most likely to defeat Reform.
“We don’t want to be the soap opera, we don’t want to be knocking the Beckhams off the headlines for the wrong reasons.”
Decision on whether Burnham can stand to be made today – but all women shortlist could still be imposed, Shabana Mahmood says
08:55 , Holly BancroftThe home secretary chairs the committee of Labour’s powerful ruling body that will make the decision, writes Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin.
As a metro mayor, Mr Burnham has to ask for permission to stand from the National Executive Committee (NEC), whose membership includes many Starmer loyalists.
But Ms Mahmood admitted the NEC could also decide to impose an All Women Shortlist (AWS) at a later date.
This mechanism exists because most Labour MPs are still male. She told Sky News: “There will no doubt be a discussion about whether we want to have an all women shortlist at some point.
“But the first decision is, the Metro mayor has asked for permission. He's done exactly what the rules require him to do.”
Mahmood: Don't indulge in party psychodrama
08:54 , Holly BancroftChair of the powerful NEC committee who will decide on Mr Burnham’s bid, Shabana Mahmood, has said colleagues should not indulge in “psychodrama”, saying the country would not forgive Labour for focusing on internal issues.
When asked by Trevor Phillips about whether a “psychodrama” would be launched by Mr Burnham’s return to the Commons, Ms Mahmood said: “Everyone has to make their own decisions. What I would say is that I think everyone could do with less psychodrama and my clear message to all of my colleagues, whoever they are... is we get to decide if we want to indulge in a psychodrama. And I don’t want to do that.”
She said the country “won’t forgive us” if Labour becomes as dramatic as the former Conservative government.
Speaking about whether Labour could win at the upcoming by-election, she said: “You can’t go into any kind of election...anything other than on the front foot.
“We know that the country is still impatient for more change.
“The Labour Party has a strong case to make to the people of Denton first and foremost and then people across the country, whether that is in Manchester or elsewhere.”
Burnham's MP bid: What is expected today?
08:43 , Holly BancroftLabour’s ruling body is set to decide whether Andy Burnham can stand as a by-election candidate as the Greater Manchester mayor plots a return to Westminster.
The party's National Executive Committee (NEC) is expected to meet virtually on Sunday after Mr Burnham applied for permission to contest the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.
Labour Party rules give the NEC a veto over regional mayors contesting parliamentary elections under a change introduced after the last election, designed to prevent costly mayoral by-elections.
The committee now faces a dilemma over whether to exercise that power, with sources worried it will anger some party members whether it allows Mr Burnham to stand or not.
Sources close to the NEC have expressed concern about the expense of fighting a mayoral by-election in Manchester, while reports suggest supporters of Sir Keir Starmer are concerned about Mr Burnham's leadership ambitions.
But senior Labour figures, including Cabinet minister and former leader Ed Miliband, have urged the committee not to block Mr Burnham's candidacy and allow local members to decide.
Mahmood: Labour should 'take Andy at his word'
08:43 , Holly BancroftMs Mahmood has said that Labour “should take Andy at his word” and believe that he wants to support the government.
Speaking to Trevor Phillips on Sky News, she said: “I don’t think that all of these hypotheticals, machinations, these are, I understand why people ask these questions but to be honest from my perspective we as a government and a party need to pull together. We have tough local elections coming up, we have a strong case to make to the country, I’m not scared of Reform or the Greens I say we take the fight to them. It’s a fight I believe that we can win.”
Referring to the drama created by Mr Burnham’s bid to become an MP, Ms Mahmood said: “Everyone has to make their own decisions... I think everyone could do with less psychodrama.”
Chair of NEC Mahmood says she will be impartial ahead of meeting to decide on Burnham's bid
08:38 , Holly BancroftHome secretary Shabana Mahmood has said that Andy Burnham is a “fantastic mayor for Greater Manchester” and refused to be drawn on whether she will back his bid to become an MP.
Speaking on Sky on Sunday morning, she said Mr Burnham’s letter to Labour’s NEC made his “case in a fair-minded and decent way”.
She added: “I am the chair of that committee, and I think it’s my job to be an impartial chair...It’s not my job as the chair to make comments.”
She said: “I play these things with a straight bat, we have the meeting later on today and that’s where the decision will be made.”
Andy Burnham's letter to the Labour NEC chair in full
08:20 , Bryony Gooch“Dear Chair
“I write to seek the permission of the NEC to enter the process for the selection of Labour’s candidate for the forthcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.
“This has been a difficult decision for me to make and I thought it would help members of the NEC if I shared my reasoning in reaching it.
“Of course, nobody wanted or expected a by-election at this time and I have given careful thought to what is in the best interests of our Party and the city-region I represent. With that in mind, I have come to the conclusion that this is the moment to mount the strongest possible defence of what we stand for and what we have built in this city over many generations.
“Manchester inspires because it is a place that has always stood for the equality of all people, right back to the cotton workers of 1862 who refused to handle slave-picked cotton. In my time as Mayor, I have drawn strength from that tradition and worked hard to unite people. We are famous for our togetherness and, from that foundation, we are achieving huge success as the UK’s fastest-growing city region.
“And yet, there is now a direct threat to everything Greater Manchester has always been about from a brand of politics which seeks to pit people against each other. It brings with it a poison we should not let enter our city-region. I see this by-election as the front line of that fight for the Manchester Way and I feel I owe it to a city which has given me so much to lead it from the front, despite the risks involved.
“With your permission to stand, I would run a hopeful and unifying campaign with broad appeal to voters, focusing on the positivity around what we have achieved, whilst at the same time being honest about the alienation people feel from politics.
“I left Westminster almost 10 years ago because I felt it too and had a strong sense that it wasn’t working for people in our part of the world.
“In my current job, I have tried to pioneer a different way of doing things with some success. But I have learnt in my nine years as Mayor that Manchester won’t be able to be everything it should be without similar changes at a national level. This is why I feel the need to go back.
“When so many people in a city-region like this are struggling to afford the daily basics, they are surely right to question why the country gave away control of them in the first place, in whose interests it is run and why no government of any colour has corrected these things for them.
“I applaud this Government for being the first in a long time to face up to them and put people before profit. The progress already made on rail renationalisation, bus re-regulation, the housing crisis and devolution is truly impressive. My role in returning would be to use my experience to help it to go further and faster, as well as communicate the difference it is making. I would be there to support the work of the Government, not undermine it, and I have passed on this assurance to the Prime Minister.
“I can assure the NEC that, if allowed to stand and successful in the by-election, I would give my all to the subsequent Greater Manchester mayoral by-election. We have such a powerful story to tell of the change Greater Manchester Labour has brought to the city-region and I am confident we can win and take that success story into a new era.
“I hope this makes my reasoning clear and I attach the required form with further information. Out of respect for this internal process, I will not be giving any further public statements until it is concluded beyond the release of this letter. I am sad at the circumstances in which all this has come about and, while he clearly made mistakes, I want to recognise the dedicated service of Andrew Gwynne to this area over many years.
“Yours sincerely
“Rt Hon Andy Burnham”
Starmer vs Burnham: How Keir plans to take back control in the North
08:00 , Bryony Gooch How Starmer plans to dethrone King of the North Andy Burnham
Which Labour MPs have welcomed the idea of Andy Burnham back in Westminster?
07:45 , Bryony GoochHere are the Labour MPs who have reacted positively to having Andy Burnham return as an MP:
Ed Miliband has said Mr Burnham would be a massive asset and Sir Keir “needs the best possible team serving under him”.
Bridget Powell backed giving local members the final say and described Mr Burnham as “incredibly popular”.
Angela Rayner is reportedly set to support Mr Burnham’s return to Westminster, according to The Times.
Watch: 'Let Burnham choose whether to stand in by-election', says Labour deputy
07:30 , Bryony GoochWhat can we expect from today?
07:11 , Bryony GoochLabour’s ruling body is set to decide whether Andy Burnham can stand as a by-election candidate as the Greater Manchester mayor plots a return to Westminster.
On Saturday he made clear his intention to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election, setting up a potential return to Westminster for the Greater Manchester mayor.
Decision on whether Burnham can apply for selection could come as early as today
07:00 , Tara CobhamAndy Burnham said he had applied to Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) for permission to seek selection for the Gorton and Denton by-election on Saturday.
Given the timetable for choosing a candidate set out by the NEC, the latest it can make a decision on whether Mr Burnham can apply for selection is Monday, but a decision could come as early as Sunday.
Profile on Andy Burnham: Could the ‘King of the North’ return to Westminster and nab the top job?
06:00 , Tara CobhamIt would not be the first time that the mayor of a big city went on to become head of their country’s government, though it’s unusual. Three US presidents have done so (Andrew Johnson, Grover Cleveland, Calvin Coolidge), and in Europe there are the highly notable examples of Chancellor Willy Brandt (graduating from West Berlin), and Jacques Chirac (Paris). Here, of course, we saw Boris Johnson perfecting his populist skills in London before, in due course, graduating to the premiership. The question for 2026 is whether Andy Burnham can make a similar journey from his mayoral HQ at the Tootal Building in Manchester to 10 Downing Street. The upcoming by-election in the usually safe Labour seat of Gorton, well inside Burnham’s northern fiefdom, opens up at least the possibility that Burnham might repeat Johnson’s feat.
Burnham, a minister in the Blair and Brown governments who has been reborn as the mayor of Greater Manchester, has already been almost prime minister, you know. He may presently be the “King of the North”, enjoying marginally better ratings that the party nationally, but he could now be trying, for the third time, for an even more exalted position – leader of the Labour Party, and with it, the premiership. It was a laughable proposition for almost the whole of Sir Keir Starmer’s period of previously unassailable dominance, but suddenly, before last autumn’s party conference, in a panicky mood, the Labour Party seemed to have caught what might be termed “the Tory disease” – the delusion that a change of leader can solve all its problems, coupled with an addiction to plotting. Burnham, away from Westminster for most of the past decade, seemed to be the nearest thing they have to a fresh start.
Sean O’Grady writes:
Andy Burnham: Could the ‘King of the North’ return to Westminster for the top job?
Editorial: Now is not the time to undermine the prime minister
05:00 , Tara CobhamAndy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, promises, in his request for permission to stand in a by-election to return to Westminster, “to support the work of the government, not undermine it”.
But his very presence in the House of Commons would be a distraction for the prime minister.
Sir Keir Starmer has scored successes on the international stage in recent days. He pushed Elon Musk to disable his pornographic AI. He stood firm against Donald Trump on Greenland, and demanded an apology for the US president’s slur on allied forces in Afghanistan.
Read more here:
Now is not the time to undermine the prime minister
Burnham's candidacy welcomed by Miliband
04:00 , Tara CobhamAndy Burnham’s candidacy was welcomed by Cabinet minister Ed Miliband, who was giving a speech to the Fabian Society’s annual conference in London as the mayor made his announcement.
Mr Miliband said Mr Burnham had done “an outstanding job” as mayor and would be “a massive asset” in parliament, adding he hoped the Gorton and Denton party would have “the option” of selecting him as a candidate.
He said: “My view about this is Keir needs the best possible team serving under him in parliament.”
Mr Miliband denied that Mr Burnham’s return to Westminster would raise questions about Sir Keir’s leadership, given the mayor is widely believed to have ambitions to become leader himself.
He said: “The Labour party needs to look outwards and not inwards and it needs to be loyal to Keir and it needs to get on with the job of serving the country.”
Polls indicate Burnham could face tough fight in by-election
01:00 , Tara CobhamThe Gorton and Denton by-election was triggered on Thursday after the sitting MP, Andrew Gwynne, announced his resignation from parliament on health grounds.
Although Mr Gwynne won the seat with 51 per cent of the vote in 2024, Andy Burnham could still face a tough fight given the collapse in Labour’s polling position and the rise of both Reform UK and the Green Party.
Full story: Burnham takes fight to Starmer as he launches new bid to become Labour MP
00:00 , Tara CobhamAndy Burnham has confirmed he is seeking to stand for Labour in the Gorton and Denton by-election, paving the way for a return to parliament and a potential leadership challenge to Sir Keir Starmer.
The mayor of Greater Manchester said the decision had been “difficult”, but now was “the moment to mount the strongest possible defence” of Labour’s values as he asked for permission to stand from the party’s powerful ruling body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), whose membership includes many Starmer loyalists.
In a letter to the NEC released as the 5pm deadline to apply passed, Mr Burnham said he would support the government “not undermine it” and that he had passed that assurance on to the prime minister.
Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Burnham takes fight to Starmer with fresh bid to become Labour MP
City-wide by-election would be triggered in Manchester if Burnham elected as MP
Saturday 24 January 2026 22:00 , Tara CobhamIf elected as an MP, Andy Burnham would be legally required to stand down as mayor of Greater Manchester, triggering a city-wide by-election.
In his letter to the NEC, he said he would “give my all” in any mayoral by-election, adding he was “confident” Labour could win.
Labour MP goes public against Burnham
Saturday 24 January 2026 20:30 , Tara CobhamWhitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
A Labour MP has gone public against Andy Burnham’s Westminster comeback bid.
In a post on X on Saturday evening, Joani Reid MP said: “The Gorton and Denton selection process has become an energy-sapping distraction, which is why many of us would probably have preferred Andy Burnham to stay out of it.
“He's not even halfway through his term as Mayor, and frankly Mayor of Manchester is a bigger job than being a backbench MP. So either he's seeking a quieter life, or he's on manoeuvres. If it's the latter, it's the last thing we need in the run-up to the May elections.”
The Gorton and Denton selection process has become an energy -sapping distraction, which is why many of us would probably have preferred Andy Burnham to stay out of it.
— Joani Reid MP (@JoaniReid) January 24, 2026
He's not even halfway through his term as Mayor, and frankly Mayor of Manchester is a bigger job than being a… https://t.co/22X9SD3BjA
Mainstream Labour group launch petition against 'stitch-up' against Burnham
Saturday 24 January 2026 19:05 , Tara CobhamWhitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
The Mainstream Labour group have launched a petition against a “stitch-up” against Andy Burnham over the Gorton and Denton by-election.
It reads: “Labour can win in the Gorton and Denton by-election if we lead with our values and allow a fair, democratic and open selection for our candidate.
“Labour is at its most powerful when we draw upon the strengths, talents and ideas of our entire movement.
“That’s how we deliver real change and transform the country.
“A stitch-up from the top would undermine Labour’s credibility with the public and send the wrong message to the dedicated members of our party.
“And it could cost the Labour Party the Gorton and Denton by-election.”
Burnham: I am ready to mount strong defence of what we stand for
Saturday 24 January 2026 17:19 , Holly BancroftIn his letter to the National Executive Committee, seeking permission to stand at the forthcoming by-election, Mr Burnham said that he had decided to put his name forward after “careful thought to what is in the best interests of our Party and the city-region I represent”.
He added: “With that in mind, I have come to the conclusion that this is the moment to mount the strongest possible defence of what we stand for and what we have built in this city over many generations.
“Manchester inspires because it is a place that has always stood for the equality of all people, right back to the cotton workers of 1862 who refused to handle slave-picked cotton. In my time as Mayor, I have drawn strength from that tradition and worked hard to unite people. We are famous for our togetherness and, from that foundation, we are achieving huge success as the UK’s fastest-growing city region.
“And yet, there is now a direct threat to everything Greater Manchester has always been about from a brand of politics which seeks to pit people against each other. It brings with it a poison we should not let enter our city-region.
“I see this by-election as the frontline of that fight for the Manchester Way and I feel I owe it to a city which has given me so much to lead it from the front, despite the risks involved”.
Andy Burnham seeks permission to stand in by-election, saying he would 'support the work of the government'
Saturday 24 January 2026 17:11 , Holly BancroftAndy Burnham has said he would use his potential selection as Labour’s candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election to “support the work of the government, not undermine it”.
In a statement published on social media at 5pm, Mr Burnham said he had given these assurances “to the prime minister”.
Speaking to the powerful National Executive Committee (NEC), Mr Burnham said: “I can assure the NEC that, if allowed to stand and successful in the by-election, I would give my all to the subsequent Greater Manchester mayoral by-election. We have such a powerful story to tell of the change Greater Manchester Labour has brought to the city-region and I am confident we can win and take that success story to a new era”.
I have today written to the Chair of Labour’s National Executive Committee seeking permission to enter the selection process for a candidate for the forthcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.
— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) January 24, 2026
Read my letter here.👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/TwKgADsuSB
Breaking: Andy Burnham confirms bid to stand as MP
Saturday 24 January 2026 17:06 , Holly BancroftMayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has confirmed he has sought permission to stand as Labour’s candidate for the forthcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.
Mr Burnham said the move was a “difficult decision” to make but pledged to run a “hopeful and unifying campaign”.
More MPs publicly say Burnham should be allowed to stand
Saturday 24 January 2026 15:07 , Holly BancroftMore MPs have spoken publicly about their support for Andy Burnham’s potential bid to become the new MP for Gorton and Denton.
Kim Johnson, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, said: “If democracy means anything, Andy Burnham must be allowed to stand - and Labour HQ should be encouraging it.
“Blocking Andy to satisfy factional interests would be a serious mistake and would have long-lasting consequences”.
Dr Beccy Cooper, MP for Worthing West, added: “I’m proud to be part of our Westminster Labour team. If Andy Burnham wants to join that team, the people of Gorton and Denton should decide if he’s their next MP. Let’s stick to our values.”
Richard Burgon, MP for Leeds East, said: “Everyone knows Andy Burnham would have the best chance of beating Reform in Gorton and Denton.
“Fixing the selection to keep him off the ballot would be an affront to party democracy - and a sign nasty factionalism is a higher priority than reversing the rise of Farage and Reform”.
Labour Party top team should be begging Burnham to stand, Liverpool MP says
Saturday 24 January 2026 14:45 , Holly BancroftIan Byrne, Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby, has added his voice to a swell of MPs backing Andy Burnham to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election.
Mr Byrne said on Saturday: “The Labour Party hierarchy should be begging Andy Burnham to stand. Keeping Reform out of Gorton and Denton is imperative.
“Those who have trashed our polling and hollowed out Labour’s base are now actively threatening Labour’s chances of winning this seat”.
