Andy Burnham’s bid to return as MP blocked by Labour ruling body

Andy Burnham has been prevented from running as a candidate in the upcoming parliamentary by-election in Gorton and Denton by Labour’s national executive committee (NEC).

Burnham Blocked From By-Election Candidacy

The decision to block Burnham, who currently serves as the directly elected mayor of Greater Manchester, came after he applied to be a candidate on Saturday. Labour sources cited concerns over the costs associated with both a parliamentary by-election and a subsequent mayoral by-election, as well as the potential for a divisive campaign.

However, allies of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer reportedly feared Burnham, a former cabinet minister, could pose a leadership challenge if he returned to Westminster.

The move is expected to cause friction within the Labour party, with some MPs believing local members should have been able to choose their candidate. One senior Labour source described the decision as a “gamble” that could jeopardize the party’s chances in a difficult by-election.

The NEC, comprised of 10 members including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and party chair Ellie Reeves, voted 8-1 to block Burnham’s candidacy on Sunday morning. Prime Minister Starmer was among those who voted against Burnham. Deputy leader Lucy Powell was the sole NEC member to vote in favor of allowing him to stand.

Supporters of Starmer argued that Burnham is performing well as mayor and that holding a mayoral by-election would be expensive, costing the party hundreds of thousands of pounds and the country millions during the current cost-of-living crisis. They also expressed concern that Reform UK would significantly outspend Labour during the campaign.

Those who blocked Burnham intend to publicly argue that, given current geopolitical concerns and economic pressures, the country has no appetite for a return to “political psychodramas.” A source stated there was “overwhelming support” for upholding party rules preventing mayors and police and crime commissioners from standing in by-elections.

Earlier, Mahmood stated that allowing elected mayors to run in parliamentary by-elections would have “organisational implications” for the party. A mayoral election in Greater Manchester could cost approximately £4.7 million, based on the cost of the last election.