Sir Keir Starmer said Andy Burnham is doing a “great job” as Greater Manchester mayor but allowing him to run for a Westminster seat would “divert our resources” from Labour campaigns in May’s elections.
Labour rebels have accused the Prime Minister and his allies of a “stitch-up” after Mr Burnham was blocked from running as an MP in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.
The (NEC), which is chaired by home secretary Shabana Mahmood and also includes Sir Keir among its members, rebuffed Mr Burnham’s application to become Labour’s candidate, with the vote being 8-1 against the mayor of Greater Manchester.
In a series of social media posts on Sunday afternoon, Mr Burnham said: “I am disappointed by today’s NEC decision and concerned about its potential impact on the important elections ahead of us.”
The decision has provoked backlash from MPs supportive of Mr Burnham, claimed the move was a “stitch-up”.
Starmer was asked by reporters whether Andy Burnham would be better suited at beating Reform UK than himself. He responded by saying the "battle for our times" is that between a "patriotic Labour government" and the "division of Reform".
It comes as former home secretary Suella Braverman has become the latest ex-Tory to defect to Reform, following Robert Jenrick.
Read MoreStarmer faces backlash as Labour blocks Burnham by-election bid
Labour at war after Starmer blocks Andy Burnham’s Commons comeback bid
Why has Labour blocked Andy Burnham from standing as an MP?
Andy Burnham blocked: Keir Starmer is ruthless but right
Key Points
- Allowing Burnham to run for Westminster seat would 'divert resources,' Starmer says
- Breaking: Suella Braverman has defected to Reform
- Full list of Tories who have defected to Farage’s Reform after Suella Braverman becomes latest recruit
- Burnham hits back at those backing blocking of his path back to Westminster
- Why has Labour blocked Andy Burnham from standing as an MP?
Full list of Tories who have defected to Farage’s Reform after Suella Braverman becomes latest recruit
12:35 , Rebecca Whittaker Full list of Tories who have defected to Farage’s Reform
Burnham is right – Starmer’s veto will make the Manchester by-election much harder for Labour
12:30 , Rebecca Whittaker Burnham is right – Starmer’s veto makes Manchester by-election much harder for Labour
Watch: Former Tory home secretary Suella Braverman defects to Reform
12:26 , Rebecca WhittakerFormer Tory home secretary Suella Braverman defects to Reform
12:23 , Rebecca WhittakerSuella Braverman has joined her ally Robert Jenrick and other rightwing Tories as being the latest senior figure to desert Kemi Badenoch’s Conservative Party in favour of Reform.
She was unveiled at a Reform rally for veterans in London as the eighth MP for the party having been a rare visitor to parliament in the last few months.
She said: “Today I am announcing that I am resigning the a Conservative whip and my party membership of 30 years. And because I believe with my heart and soul that a better future is possible for us, I am joining Reform UK.”
Follow updates here by The Independent’s political editor David Maddox and political reporter Athena Stavrou:
Former Tory home secretary Suella Braverman defects to Reform
Breaking: Suella Braverman has defected to Reform
12:20 , Rebecca WhittakerFormer Conservative Home Secretary Suella Braverman has defected to Reform.
She was unveiled at a Reform rally for veterans in London.
She said: “Today I am announcing that I am resigning the a Conservative whip and my party membership of 30 years. And because I believe with my heart and soul that a better future is possible for us, I am joining Reform UK.”
Watch: Allowing Burnham to run for Westminster seat would 'divert our resources' from Labour election campaign, says Starmer
12:15 , Rebecca WhittakerBurnham urges MPs to 'come up to Manchester' ahead of by-election
12:06 , Rebecca WhittakerGreater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has urged MPs to “come up to Manchester” ahead of the by-election.
At a Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) event on technical education, Mr Burnham was asked whether he had a message for any of the MPs disappointed by the national executive committee’s decision to block him from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election.
He said: “What’s my message to MPs? Come up to Manchester.
“We’ve got a by-election about to happen. We need your help. The Greater Manchester way is built on togetherness. We don’t ever here have a politics that’s about pitting people one from another.
“This is a place that is succeeding because of its commitment to people of all backgrounds working together for the common good, that is the Greater Manchester way and we want to preserve it.
“So, come and join us. Let’s get out there and celebrate what we’ve achieved in Greater Manchester in the by-election.”
Former Labour deputy leader said Burnham will 'be an MP sooner rather than later'
11:59 , Rebecca WhittakerTom Watson, the former Labour deputy leader and now member of the House of Lord, predicted Burnham will “be an MP sooner rather than later”.
In a post on his Substack, he said he “wouldn’t have rushed” the decision and would have "spoken to Andy" to get some "clarity about his ambitions" before blocking his bid to become an MP.
"Instead, we chose a public rebuke of one of our strongest, if occasionally tricksy, assets,” he added.
Recap: What we know about Andy Burnham’s bid to become Labour MP being blocked
11:50 , Rebecca Whittaker- Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, confirmed his intention to seek the Labour candidacy for the Gorton and Denton by-election.
- His move was widely interpreted as a potential return to Parliament and a possible future leadership challenge to Sir Keir Starmer.
- The decision ignited internal conflict within the Labour Party, with some MPs accusing him of a 'show of ego' and being 'on manoeuvres', while others warn against blocking his candidacy, fearing a backlash against Sir Keir.
- Senior Labour figures, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, have publicly supported Burnham's right to stand, emphasising the importance of having all talent available to the party.
- Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC), including Starmer, voted to deny Burnham permission to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election.
- Starmer explained that allowing Burnham to run for a Westminster seat would 'divert our resources' from Labour's campaigns in the upcoming May elections.
Comment - Andy Burnham blocked: Keir Starmer is ruthless but right
11:40 , Rebecca WhittakerThe prime minister made the right decision for the country, the party and himself, writes John Rentoul.
Andy Burnham blocked: Keir Starmer is ruthless but right
Burnham ducks question about blocked bid to become an MP
11:36 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Andy Burnham has ducked a question about his blocked bid to become an MP, instead saying he is focussing on his job as mayor of Greater Manchester.
At the end of a Centre for Social Justice event about education, Mr Burnham was asked to address the drama that has unfolded in the last few days.
Responding, he said: "I've said everything I think I'm going to say about that today. I'm very much focusing on my job... I think I'm just going to leave it there, if that's okay. I'd rather just talk about what we're doing on technical education in Greater Manchester."
Too many young people are 'losing hope' in Britain, says Andy Burnham
11:30 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Andy Burnham has said the answer to get the country "functioning better" is in Greater Manchester, saying that "too many young people" are losing hope in Britain - taking a thinly veiled stab at Sir Keir Starmer's government just days after being blocked from standing as an MP.
The Greater Manchester mayor told an event hosted by the Centre for Social Justice: "Too many young people are growing up and they're hitting their middle teenage years, and they lose hope because they can't see where school is taking them. They can't see a path for them."
Pointing to the establishment of the Manchester Baccalaureate, he added: "We think there is an answer in Greater Manchester. we think it's time to back the MBacc fully and unequivocally, devolve powers and funding to build it properly.
"And if you did that in all parts of the country, maybe this country would feel like it's starting to function better. Again, particularly as young people are concerned."
Labour are repeating the mistakes of the Tories, warns leading pollster
11:25 , Rebeca WhittakerThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
It has taken Labour just 18 months to repeat the mistakes that the Tories made at the end of their 14 years of office with a succession of new leaders starting with the removal of Boris Johnson, a leading polling expert has warned.
Lord Robert Hayward, who is also a Conservative peer, told The Independent that he was surprised Labour had got itself into the same position so quickly.
He said: “What will happen is that Labour MPs will start to say ‘we need to try something different’ and get themselves into that mentality.
“It is just like the Conservatives after Boris Johnson. Of course it is all predicated on Keir Starmer’s poor personal ratings and those of his party undr his leadership.
“Logic actually tells you that it won’t make any difference at all and it didn’t for the Conservatives. But things get so bad that the ‘we need to try something different’ mentality takes hold. Labour are repeating the same mistakes.”
He argued that the point of crisis will come on Monday 11 May after the local elections on 7 May where Labour is expected to suffer heavy losses in Scotland, Wales and London - all parts of the UK which should be strongholds for the party.
“When Labour MPs come back to parliament on the Monday after those local elections then I think will be the point where desperation takes hold and they decide they need to try something different,” he said.
Although he added that an early by-election in February will not help Sir Keir.
“Nobody can explain to me why they want to rush ahead with this by-election. They risk giving Reform early momentum and because of the Burnham/ Starmer issue they have already turned it into a national story.
“They could hold on and wait til May. Holding it early will not help Labour or Starmer.”
It's a battle between 'patriotic Labour government' and 'division of Reform'
11:15 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Keir Starmer was asked by reporters whether Andy Burnham would be better suited at beating Reform UK than himself.
He responded by saying the "battle for our times" is that between a "patriotic Labour government" and the "division of Reform", the BBC reported.
He added that everyone in the Labour party is fighting the same battle and that the May elections are the “next test.”
Watch: Mahmood: 'Voters won't forgive Labour psychodrama over Burnham'
11:10 , Rebecca WhittakerStarmer says he has a good working relationship with Burnham
10:50 , Rebecca Whittaker“There’s no question of me and Andy not working very well together. He’s doing an excellent job,” Sir Keir Starmer said as he insisted he had a good working relationship with Andy Burnham, despite voting to block him from running for Parliament.
The Prime Minister said: “Andy Burnham is doing a really great job … when I came into politics in 2015 the first thing I did was support Andy Burnham’s leadership campaign, the first team I worked in was for Andy Burnham and in the job he’s doing now, he and I work closely together.”
But he explained allowing him to run for a Westminster seat would “divert our resources” from Labour campaigns in May’s elections.
“The question the NEC had to address was whether we should take the focus away, which it would have done, from the elections in Wales, in Scotland and the elections we must have, by introducing an election which we don’t have to have,” he said.
“And two years ago, the Labour Party changed the rules to say that presumption is really against doing that, because we need to fight where we must fight.”
Labour at war after Starmer blocks Andy Burnham’s Commons comeback bid
10:45 , Rebecca Whittaker Labour at war after Starmer blocks Andy Burnham’s Commons comeback bid
Burnham says he is 'getting on with his job' as mayor
10:35 , Rebecca WhittakerThe mayor of Greater Manchester has insisted he is “getting on with my job now”, after being blocked from running as an MP in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.
Andy Burnham told reporters: “I have said everything that I needed to say and I’m getting on with my job now.”
Labour should concentrate on fighting Reform over internal divisions, Starmer says
10:28 , Rebecca WhittakerSpeaking during a visit to a health centre in Wimbledon, Sir Keir Starmer said Labour should concentrate on fighting Reform UK rather than internal divisions.
In a message to his MPs, he said: “The single most important thing for people across the country is the cost of living and that’s why we’re bearing down on it in everything we’re doing, pulling every lever.
“We must never lose sight of that whatever is happening internationally – and there’s a lot – whatever is happening across the country on other issues – and there’s a lot – the single thing that matters most is the cost of living.
“All of our members, all of our supporters, all of our MPs, know that.
“The second thing I’d say is there is a fight. Yes, there is a fight, but that fight is with Reform and we all need to line up together to be in that fight, all playing our part.
“I think that everybody in the Labour Party, everybody who’s a Labour MP, wants to be in that fight, wants to fight alongside all their colleagues in a fight that matters hugely to the future of our country.”
Starmer decision to block Andy Burnham for standing for Parliament
10:21 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Keir Starmer has defended the Labour national executive committee (NEC) decision to block Andy Burnham for standing for Parliament.
He said: “We have really important elections already across England for local councils, very important elections in Wales for the Government there and very important elections in Scotland for the Scottish Government that will affect millions of people. And we’re out campaigning on the cost of living and they’re very important elections.
“We need all of our focus on those elections.
“Andy Burnham’s doing a great job as the mayor of Manchester, but having an election for the mayor of Manchester when it’s not necessary would divert our resources away from the elections that we must have, that we must fight and win.
“And resources, whether that’s money or people, need to be focused on the elections that we must have, not elections that we don’t have to have. And that was the basis of the NEC decision.”
Burnham speaks at the launch of Class Ceiling
10:20 , Rebecca WhittakerAndy Burnham made his first appearance since the Labour leadership blocked his attempt to become an MP.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester spoke at the launch of Class Ceiling at The Whitworth in Manchester.
At the event where he launched a report into getting working class people into the media and arts, the BBC reported that he joked he had read every word of the report, because he’s not had much else on.
Labour has 'blown it', Green party leader claims
10:15 , Rebecca WhittakerZack Polanski, the Green party leader, claims “Labour have blown it” and said Greens are now best place to beat Reform in the Gorton and Denton byelection.
He said in a post on X: “Labour have blown it. This is it. Time to take on Reform. Manchesters first Green MP is coming. Join us to help get them elected on Saturday.”
Labour have blown it. This is it. Time to take on Reform.
— Zack Polanski (@ZackPolanski) January 25, 2026
Manchesters first Green MP is coming. Join us to help get them elected on Saturday.https://t.co/pTo5QEJ2Nj pic.twitter.com/5ILvtXd4iQ
Allowing Burnham to run for Westminster seat would 'divert resources,' Starmers says
10:04 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Keir Starmer said Andy Burnham is doing a “great job” as Greater Manchester mayor but allowing him to run for a Westminster seat would “divert our resources” from Labour campaigns in May’s elections.
Why has Labour blocked Andy Burnham from standing as an MP?
10:00 , Rebecca Whittaker Why has Labour blocked Andy Burnham from standing as an MP?
'Bureaucratic methods should be used to stop candidates,' Labour MP says
09:48 , Rebecca WhittakerLabour MP Graham Stringer does not think Andy Burnham should have put his name forward for the by-election.
But he stressed in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, that “bureaucratic methods should be used to stop candidates.”
"It leads to resentment, it leads to anger and splits within the party, which works its way through the system and no good comes of it," he said.
Watch: Diane Abbott says Burnham decision makes Starmer look ‘weak’
09:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAnalysis: Handling of the Burnham issue by the NEC has left a bitter taste
09:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
As is often the case the process rather than just the result of rejecting Andy Burnham’s bid to return to parliament has made things far worse for the embattled Keir Starmer.
Mr Burnham’s posts on X about the decision began with a conciliatory tone suggesting he would get back to the day job as Greater Manchester’s metro mayor. But then the third one showed a remarkable turn of rancour.
“PS - The fact that the media was informed of the NEC decision before I was tells you everything you need to know about the way the Labour Party is being run these days,” he said, adding: “You would think that over 30 years of service would count for something but sadly not.”
Talk about pouring petrol on to the blazing fire among Labour MPs.
Labour sources “categorically denied” that he had been told after the media was briefed but as Sky News’ Beth Rigby has reported it appears one senior journalist was able to report the decision on X at 11.56am while the email for the decision did not reach Mr Burnham until 12.20pm.
All this feeds into a badly handled decision making process which is already under severe criticism for being made by a small select group of people.
The problem is that because Sir Keir Starmer himself chose to participate he is even more personally attached to how things have transpired than he would have been had he stayed at arms length.
Starmer 'needs to consider his own position' after Burnham decision, says Labour MP
09:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Labour MP Kim Johnson has said Sir Keir Starmer "needs to consider his own position" after the decision to block Andy Burnham from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election, claiming it shows the PM is not putting the country before the party.
She told Times Radio: "I'm really disappointed with the decision taken by a handful of NEC members today to block Andy Burnham from standing in the seat in Manchester.
"It is really disappointing. Starmer has spoken about putting country first before the party. Well, this clearly isn't the situation. It's really disappointing that Andy got to find out after the media were invited.
"This just plays into the level of factionalism that has been inherent in this party for too long and it has to stop. And Keir Starmer now needs to consider his own position as leader of this party."
What have Labour MPs said about the NEC's decision?
08:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneLabour’s national execuitve committee (NEC) voted on Saturday to block Andy Burnham from standing as an MP in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.
The move was instantly criticised by a slew of Labour MPs, who said the decision was "incredibly disappointing" and “weak”.
Karl Turner, Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull East, told Times Radio: “There'll be a lot of bloodletting in the Parliamentary Labour Party as a result of this decision.”
But others said voters had elected Mr Burnham to serve a four-year term as mayor in 2024 and "don't like'' mid-term elections.
Housing secretary Steve Reed said: "So we're not going to go back and ask the people of Greater Manchester, over two million of them who are entitled to vote, to elect somebody else to complete the next two (years), because we can select a different candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election, and we will make the case for the Labour government”.
Allowing Burnham to stand would not be 'risk-free', Cabinet minister says
07:59 , Millie CookeAllowing Andy Burnham to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election would not have been a "risk-free choice", a Cabinet minister has argued.
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander told Times Radio that if the NEC had allowed Mr Burnham to stand, there would have been “the equivalent of 20 by-elections diverting time, energy and money to a Manchester mayoral contest” which Labour might lose.
He said: “We would certainly have fought that contest hard, but there would have been some degree of risk – Reform are outspending us about 10-to-one at the moment and in the biggest and most unnecessary electoral contest in England, you can never take anything for granted.
“That doesn’t strike me as a risk-free choice.”
Decision was about 'focus than factionalism', cabinet minister says
07:45 , Holly EvansThe decision to block Andy Burnham from seeking a return to Westminster was more about “focus than factionalism”, with Labour seeking to avoid the distraction of a mayoral by-election in Greater Manchester, a Cabinet minister said.
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander acknowledged Sir Keir Starmer’s role in the decision to block his potential leadership rival, telling Times Radio: “This was a decision, of course, that the Prime Minister was involved in, but was actually a decision taken by a subcommittee of Labour’s national executive committee (NEC).”
He said: “The judgment was more about focus than factionalism.”
Mr Alexander continued: “Whatever choice the national executive committee made yesterday, it was likely that there would be criticism and there would be commentary in the papers today. There were, if you like, ditches on both sides of the road.”
If the NEC had allowed Mr Burnham to stand, there would have been “the equivalent of 20 by-elections diverting time, energy and money to a Manchester mayoral contest” which Labour might lose.
“We would certainly have fought that contest hard, but there would have been some degree of risk – Reform are outspending us about 10-to-one at the moment and in the biggest and most unnecessary electoral contest in England, you can never take anything for granted.
“That doesn’t strike me as a risk-free choice.”
Furious Labour MPs call Burnham blocking a 'stitch-up'
07:33 , Holly EvansLabour MPs are said to be in open revolt against Sir Keir Starmer and his allies after what they believe to be a “stitch-up” in blocking Andy Burnham from returning to Westminster.
Backbenchers are said to have described the move as “completely outrageous” and “incredibly disappointing”, with The Telegraph reporting that Angela Rayner is among those who disagreed with the decision.
A letter is circulating among MPs that claims the decision amounted to “a remote stitch-up from a small group of people at the very top in London”.
It reportedly warns that losing the by-election would be “unimaginable... blocking [Mr Burnham] from even making his case to local members risks sending a message that the party does not respect devolution”.
They are calling on the National Executive Committee to re-evaulate their decision, with one Starmer ally stating: “No. It’s done.”
'I'm not sure losing a by-election does us any good', Burnham says
07:26 , Holly EvansAndy Burnham has given a blunt response to Sir Keir Starmer’s biographer, who wrote on social media that the notion of him returning to Westminster would add to recent “psychodrama” and would not be in Labour’s best interests.
Tom Baldwin wrote: “Ive always liked @AndyBurnhamGM but the prospect of him returning to Westminster has already added to inward-looking psychodrama that does no one any good. And an unnecessary by-election for Mayor of Manchester might well have resulted in long term damage to his reputation too.”
In response, the Greater Manchester mayor said: “I’m not sure losing a by-election does us any good either, Tom.”
I’ve always liked @AndyBurnhamGM but the prospect of him returning to Westminster has already added to inward-looking psychodrama that does no one any good. And an unnecessary by-election for Mayor of Manchester might well have resulted in long term damage to his reputation too.
— Tom Baldwin (@TomBaldwin66) January 25, 2026
Why Starmer wants to make Brexit the key issue at the next election
07:00 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer is planning to make Brexit the key dividing line at the next general election as the government attempts to claw back voters lost to Reform UK, The Independent understands.
After the prime minister vowed to “reset” relations and bring the UK into closer alignment with the EU, following years of strained relations under the Tories, Labour believes it is the only political party with a position on Brexit that reflects the views of the general public.
Ten years on from the referendum, polling generally shows that a majority of voters think that Brexit is not currently working and want closer ties with the bloc. However, a majority seem to think that rejoining should not be a priority for the government.
Political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Inside Starmer’s plan to fight next general election on Brexit divide
Burnham 'concerned' about impact decision to bar him will have on Labour Party
06:00 , Tara CobhamAndy Burnham has said he is “concerned” about the impact of the Labour Party’s decision to bar him from the Gorton and Denton by-election.
In a statement on social media hours after the move, Mr Burnham said: “I am disappointed by today’s NEC decision and concerned about its potential impact on the important elections ahead of us.”
Editorial: Starmer must deliver on Labour’s manifesto pledges to stop party being ripped apart by decision on Burnham
05:00 , Tara CobhamThe decision to bar the mayor of Greater Manchester and former MP Andy Burnham from standing for the now vacant parliamentary seat of Gorton and Denton raises a host of questions, both about Sir Keir Starmer himself, as party leader and prime minister, and about the governance of the Labour Party.
In his 18 months as prime minister, Sir Keir has often appeared a weak and indecisive leader, with policy U-turns and prevarications under pressure more in evidence than any determined pursuit of the objectives set out in the manifesto on which he led Labour to its landslide election victory.
There is, however, another side to that picture. Where party and government discipline is concerned, and – it might be added – his own survival as leader, he has shown a determination little short of ruthlessness. This was fully on display in the way he ejected Jeremy Corbyn from the party and his attempt to do the same to Diane Abbott. He was both unhesitant and unrepentant in removing the whip from MPs who rebelled against proposed government welfare reforms (only to yield on the policy issues later), and he demonstrated a similar resolution in effectively sacking both his deputy, Angela Rayner, and his hand-picked ambassador in Washington, Peter Mandelson, when their missteps threatened to harm his own position.
Read more here:
Starmer must focus on Labour’s message to stop his party being ripped apart
Labour MP warns of 'a lot of bloodletting' after Burnham blocked
04:00 , Tara CobhamA Labour MP has warned that “there'll be a lot of bloodletting” following the move to block Andy Burnham from standing in the upcoming by-election in Gorton and Denton.
Karl Denton issued the warning to Metro, while he also told LBC that the NEC’s decision was a “mistake”.
Watch: NEC called for pause in Burnham by-election decision over stitch-up fears
03:00 , Tara CobhamExplained: Why has Labour blocked Andy Burnham from standing as an MP?
02:00 , Tara Cobham Starmer 'personally led calls' to block Burnham's path back to Westminster
01:00 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer personally led the calls to block Andy Burnham’s path back to Westminster, according to reports.
A source within the NEC told the Daily Express: “Keir was there and led from the front. He took up the mantel and even the most sceptical about Keir were very impressed.
“The Prime Minister argued that we couldn't risk a by-election in Greater Manchester [for mayor], and that the psychodrama from the last 48 hours had not been helpful.”
Watch: Diane Abbott says Burnham decision makes Starmer look ‘weak’
00:00 , Tara CobhamProfile: ‘King of the North’ Andy Burnham whose bid to return to Westminster sparked Labour civil war
Sunday 25 January 2026 23:00 , 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: The ‘King of the North’ whose Westminster bid sparked Labour civil war
Labour source says Burnham’s claim media was told of NEC decision before him is ‘categorically untrue’
Sunday 25 January 2026 22:11 , Tara CobhamA Labour source has said Andy Burnham’s claim that the media was told of the NEC’s decision before him is “categorically untrue”.
The Manchester mayor posted on X earlier: “The fact that the media was informed of the NEC decision before I was tells you everything you need to know about the way the Labour Party is being run these days. You would think that over 30 years of service would count for something but sadly not.”
But a Labour source told Sky News this was “categorically untrue”.
Beth Rigby posted on X: “Am told the party attempted to contact Andy shortly after the meeting had concluded over the phone and then contacted him via email. Am told the party categorically did not brief the media until Andy and the full NEC had been informed of the decision.”
On this a Labour source tells me: “This is categorically untrue." Am told the party attempted to contact Andy shortly after the meeting had concluded over the phone and then contacted him via email. Am told the party categorically did not brief the media until Andy & the full NEC… https://t.co/OIQezc3ycU
— Beth Rigby (@BethRigby) January 25, 2026
Burnham hits back at those backing blocking of his path back to Westminster
Sunday 25 January 2026 21:58 , Tara CobhamAndy Burnham has hit back at those backing the blocking of his path back to Westminster.
Journalist Tom Baldwin, a former Labour adviser, posted on X on Sunday evening: “I’ve always liked @AndyBurnhamGM but the prospect of him returning to Westminster has already added to inward-looking psychodrama that does no one any good. And an unnecessary by-election for Mayor of Manchester might well have resulted in long term damage to his reputation too.”
The Manchester mayor replied in the comments: “I’m not sure losing a by-election does us any good either, Tom.”
I’m not sure losing a by-election does us any good either, Tom.
— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) January 25, 2026
UK's unions divided over Burnham decision
Sunday 25 January 2026 21:13 , Tara CobhamAndrea Egan, the newly-elected general secretary of Britain’s largest trade union 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.”
The TSSA union accused the NEC of blocking Mr Burnham for “factional reasons”, adding: “Labour has lost its way and must change its path to survive.”
But Usdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas said her union accepted the decision and the conclusion that Mr Burnham’s candidacy would mean “major disruption”.
Some Labour MPs come out in favour of NEC's decision
Sunday 25 January 2026 20:49 , Tara CobhamSome Labour MPs have come out in favour of the NEC’s decision, urging the party to avoid infighting and move on to winning the by-election.
Phil Brickell, who represents the Greater Manchester constituency of Bolton West, said speculation about Andy Burnham’s candidacy in recent days had “seen the Labour Party quickly turn inward… undermining the PM’s efforts at home and abroad”.
Rugby MP John Slinger said the “quick and clear decision” meant the party could “move on from the damaging, introspection and psychodrama of the last week” and “pull together” behind the eventual candidate.
Comment: Andy Burnham blocked: Keir Starmer is ruthless but right
Sunday 25 January 2026 20:20 , Tara CobhamKeir Starmer faced a simple choice: either suffer the temporary embarrassment of blocking a rival, or paralyse the government by allowing Andy Burnham to be the focus of persistent leadership speculation.
The prime minister chose the first option, because that is in the best interests of the country, the Labour Party – and himself. Politicians can be ruthless, hypocritical and self-interested, but sometimes they can also be right.
It doesn’t look brave or democratic or comradely to refuse Burnham permission to be the Labour candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election, but there was never any question of letting him stand.
John Rentoul writes:
Andy Burnham blocked: Keir Starmer is ruthless but right
Watch: Mahmood says 'voters won't forgive Labour psychodrama over Burnham'
Sunday 25 January 2026 20:00 , Tara CobhamBackbenchers call on NEC to reconsider Burnham decision
Sunday 25 January 2026 19:40 , Tara CobhamSeveral backbenchers have called on the NEC to reconsider its decision, including Socialist Campaign Group secretary Richard Burgon and former cabinet minister Louise Haigh.
Ms Haigh said the decision was “incredibly disappointing” and called for the NEC to “change course and make the right decision”.
She said: “Otherwise I think we’ll all come to regret this.”
