Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has been searching for approval to struggle key by-election, which has sparked recent management tensions inside Labour.
Sir Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham. Funeral of Sir Tony Lloyd at St Hugh of Lincoln R.C. Church in St (Picture: ABNM Pictures)
Andy Burnham has damaged his silence and stated he’s “involved” concerning the affect of the Labour Celebration’s choice to bar him from the Gorton and Denton by-election. Members of Labour’s Nationwide Govt Committee (NEC) voted on Sunday morning to disclaim Mr Burnham permission to face within the contest.
The committee cited the affect on get together sources of combating an “pointless” mayoral by-election if he received in Gorton and Denton and needed to stand down as mayor of Higher Manchester. In an announcement on social media hours later, Mr Burnham stated: “I’m upset by in the present day’s NEC choice and anxious about its potential affect on the essential elections forward of us.
The Labour NEC Officers Group blocked Mr Burnham’s bid to return to Westminster, citing the £4.7 million price and the regional instability of triggering a snap mayoral by-election as their major justifications. The choice provoked a right away offended response, with former shadow Chancellor John McDonnell calling it “disgusting” and one other unnamed backbencher branding the state of affairs a “complete ****present”.
By utilizing a selected “Burnham Clause” within the rulebook to veto his candidacy earlier than native members may even vote, the get together management has ignited a fierce inner row over control-freakery and the silencing of native voices. Earlier, get together grandee Shami Chakrabarti warned Labour towards blocking Mr Burnham, calling it a horrible mistake that might harm the get together. In an change with Laura Kuenssberg, Ms Chakrabarti argued an bold politician would keep away from affiliation with any “cagey, nervous, defensive choice” on candidate choice. The Higher Manchester mayor had formally requested Labour’s ruling Nationwide Govt Committee (NEC) for permission to face within the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election, a transfer that has ignited fierce debate throughout the get together.
Dr David Bull (Picture: Getty ) 6 days in the past15:54 Richard Ashmore
Labour-backing union comes out in assist of Burnham block
Labour-affiliated commerce union Usdaw has stated it accepts the choice of the get together’s Nationwide Govt Committee (NEC) to dam Andy Burnham from standing within the Gorton and Denton by-election.
Usdaw normal secretary Joanne Thomas stated: “We acknowledge that Labour’s NEC sub-committee gave full consideration to Andy Burnham’s software and searching intently on the wider ramifications.
“We settle for their choice and conclusion concerning the main disruption that will be attributable to Andy Burnham abandoning his present position. He’s a implausible mayor, who received a majority in each ward throughout Higher Manchester, and I do know he’ll proceed to ship for these voters.
“We name on the get together to unite and deal with delivering the change that was promised and the nation voted for.”
6 days in the past14:48 Ciaran McGrath
‘Voters do not like mid-term elections,’ argues Reed
Voters elected Andy Burnham to serve a four-year time period and “do not like” mid-term elections, Steve Reed stated as he defended the choice to dam the mayor’s candidacy in Gorton and Denton.
Mr Reed informed the BBC: “Voters do not like elections that come mid-term. Individuals voted in Higher Manchester overwhelmingly for Andy Burnham to be their mayor two years in the past, for a four-year time period.”
He added: “In a democracy, politicians are elected to serve a time period. The mayor of Higher Manchester was elected for a four-year time period. He is midway by that time period now.
“So we’re not going to return and ask the individuals of Higher Manchester, over two million of them who’re entitled to vote, to elect any individual else to finish the subsequent two (years), as a result of we will choose a special candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election, and we are going to make the case for the Labour Authorities.”
Former Cupboard minister Louise Haigh stated Labour ought to “change course” and permit Andy Burnham to face in Gorton and Denton or “we’ll all come to remorse this”.
She stated: “That is an extremely disappointing choice.
“There is no level pretending we do not have an issue connecting with the general public on the minute.
“The management mustn’t really feel threatened by having one of the widespread politicians within the nation as a part of the nationwide staff.
“It isn’t too late to vary course and make the suitable choice. In any other case I believe we’ll all come to remorse this.”
6 days in the past13:49 Ciaran McGrath
Keir Starmer beneath fireplace as Labour MPs overtly blast ‘weak management freaks’ for Burnham snub
Keir Starmer has been publicly branded “outrageous”, a “management freak” and “weak” by sitting Labour MPs, because the get together descends into its most bitter infighting so far. The fury exploded after the Labour Celebration NEC, led by Sir Keir Starmer, voted to dam Andy Burnham from standing within the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.
Mr Burnham introduced his request to place his title ahead yesterday, however his goals had been crushed in a landslide vote after a gathering that lasted lower than an hour. The Labour ruling govt physique voted 8-1 in favour of opposing Mr Burnham from standing, citing the prices of getting to struggle a subsequent by-election for the Manchester mayoralty. The transfer sparked immediate fury from sitting Labour MPs, who branded Sir Keir Starmer and his NEC allies “management freaks”.
6 days in the past13:20 Ciaran McGrath
Reform’s odds shorten dramatically
After the NEC’s 8–1 choice to dam Andy Burnham, Reform UK’s odds of successful the Gorton and Denton by-election have shortened considerably as bookmakers anticipate a serious voter backlash.
Sky Sports activities Betting reacted to the perceived “London stitch-up,” with Reform’s worth transferring from 6/4 to 1/1 (Evens) within the perception that the “King of the North” being sidelined will drive offended Labour supporters towards the populist proper.
Analysts recommend that with out Burnham’s high-profile attraction to anchor the seat, a break up within the left-wing vote between Labour and the Greens has handed Reform their finest likelihood but to say a scalp in Higher Manchester.
The shift within the betting displays a rising sense that the NEC’s transfer to make sure get together stability might have inadvertently gambled away a protected seat by alienating the native citizens.
Left-winger Nadia Whittome, the MP for Nottingham East, stated: “In probably the most unsurprising flip of occasions, some Labour proper apparatchiks care extra about settling private scores than successful elections in any case.
“Even when it means risking gifting Reform one other seat in Parliament.
“They’re destroying the one electoral car at the moment able to stopping a proto-fascist authorities in 2029.
“Faction earlier than get together earlier than nation.”
In probably the most unsurprising flip of occasions, some Labour proper apparatchiks care extra about settling private scores than successful elections in any case.
Even when it means risking gifting Reform one other seat in Parliament.
Theyu2019re destroying the one electoral car at the moment capableu2026
— Nadia Whittome MP (@NadiaWhittomeMP) January 25, 2026
6 days in the past13:11 Ciaran McGrath
Labour MP laments: ‘We’re quickly shedding all sense of purpose’
Neil Duncan-Jordan, the Labour MP for Poole, stated: “This stitch-up places management earlier than nation.
“Those that have orchestrated this end result are comfortable to destroy the Labour Celebration due to their deep seated factionalism.
“We have seen this earlier than when some people had been actively working towards us successful. We’re quickly shedding all sense of purpose.”
6 days in the past12:53 Ciaran McGrath
Backbencher rages at ‘complete ****present’ as he predicts by-election defeat
Blocking Mr Burnham is prone to provoke anger from some elements of the Labour Celebration after a number of senior figures known as for native members to have the ultimate say on whether or not he ought to stand.
They included deputy chief Lucy Powell, herself an NEC member, and Cupboard minister Ed Miliband, who had each informed a convention in London on Saturday that the choice must be left to members.
A Labour backbencher informed the Press Affiliation the choice was “a complete s***present” and “utter nonsense”, predicting the get together would now lose the Gorton and Denton by-election.
Though earlier MP Andrew Gwynne received the constituency comfortably in 2024, the collapse in Labour’s polling numbers since then means the get together now faces a tricky struggle with Reform UK and the Inexperienced Celebration to retain the seat.
6 days in the past12:46 Ciaran McGrath
‘We look ahead to combating and successful the upcoming by-election in Gorton and Denton’
The assertion continued: “Andy Burnham is doing a terrific job as Mayor of Higher Manchester. We imagine it’s in the perfect pursuits of the get together to keep away from an pointless Mayoral election which might use substantial quantities of taxpayers’ cash and sources which are higher spent tackling the price of dwelling disaster.”We look ahead to combating and successful the upcoming by-election in Gorton and Denton and the optimistic marketing campaign forward which might be firmly focussed on tackling the price of dwelling and bringing funding to the native space.”
6 days in the past12:45 Ciaran McGrath
‘Pointless election would have disproportionate affect’, insists Labour
The Labour Celebration has issued a prolonged assertion explaining its choice to dam Mr Burnham.
It stated: “Immediately Elected Mayors and Police and Crime Commissioners should search the categorical permission of Labour’s ruling physique, the Nationwide Govt Committee, earlier than searching for nomination as a Labour candidate for the Westminster Parliament in accordance with Chapter 5, Clause IV, 2 of the Labour Celebration Rule E-book.
“This rule was put in place to keep away from the get together incurring pointless prices of working two simultaneous political campaigns.
“Yesterday Andy Burnham sought such permission from the NEC to face within the Gorton and Denton Parliamentary by-election, which might have led to a mayoral by-election in Higher Manchester. The NEC has determined to not grant Andy Burnham permission to face.
“The NEC believes that inflicting an pointless election for the place of Higher Manchester Mayor would have a considerable and disproportionate affect on get together marketing campaign sources forward of the native elections and elections to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd in Might. Though the Celebration could be assured of retaining the mayoralty, the NEC couldn’t put Labour’s management of Higher Manchester at any danger.”
6 days in the past12:31 Ciaran McGrath
MP manufacturers Starmer coward for ‘disgusting’ choice
John McDonnell, Labour MP stated: “Message to Keir: Don’t underestimate the depth of anger individuals will really feel about this disgusting choice. When you assume it strengthens you I inform you it’ll merely hasten your demise. You would have proven magnanimous management however as a substitute it’s cowardice.”
The Labour Celebration has blocked Andy Burnham from standing within the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election, a bombshell transfer that’s set to spark probably the most livid civil conflict throughout the get together for the reason that normal election.
The information broke after the get together’s Nationwide Govt Committee convened this morning for a make-or-break assembly to resolve Mr Burnham’s destiny.
The assembly, which lasted simply over an hour, noticed the panel of Keir Starmer loyalists vote in favour of blocking Mr Burnham from making use of for the Labour candidacy.
The small clique insists that the refusal is all the way down to fears about the price of having to carry a by-election for Metro Mayor of Manchester ought to Mr Burnham be permitted to face for parliament.
6 days in the past11:32 Ciaran McGrath
Who’s within the assembly?
The ten-person NEC Officers Group, which incorporates Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Dwelling Secretary Shabana Mahmood, is at the moment assembly to resolve if Andy Burnham can enter the Gorton and Denton by-election.
This group, which additionally options Deputy Chief Lucy Powell and Treasurer Mike Payne, has the particular constitutional authority to grant or deny the “categorical permission” Mr Burnham must run as a sitting mayor.
Though Sir Keir has a demanding schedule as Prime Minister, his place as one of many get together’s 5 Nationwide Officers makes him a central participant on this high-stakes choice.
The panel is at the moment debating Mr Burnham’s written pledge of loyalty towards the £4.7 million price and political danger of triggering a mayoral by-election. A verdict is anticipated shortly, as Mr Burnham should submit his formal software by the midnight deadline tonight.
6 days in the past11:06 Ciaran McGrath
NEC assembly to resolve if Burnham can enter race
A ten-person panel of the Labour Celebration’s Nationwide Govt Committee (NEC) is at the moment assembly this morning, Sunday, January 25, 2026, to resolve if Andy Burnham can enter the Gorton and Denton by-election.
Chaired by Dwelling Secretary Shabana Mahmood, the group—which incorporates Keir Starmer—is weighing Burnham’s widespread attraction towards fears of a future management problem and the £4.7 million price of a mayoral by-election.
In a letter to the committee, Burnham has pledged his loyalty to the federal government, insisting he intends to “assist, not undermine” the Prime Minister. Supporters like Sadiq Khan and Angela Rayner have known as for a good course of, whereas Mahmood has publicly urged the get together to keep away from a “psychodrama” and deal with governance.
A closing verdict is anticipated shortly, as Burnham should meet the overall software deadline of midnight tonight to remain within the race.
Shadow overseas secretary Dame Priti Patel has stated she is “under no circumstances” scared of doubtless dealing with Higher Manchester mayor Andy Burnham in a normal election.
On Sky Information’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Philips, Dame Priti was requested: “How scared are you that you just could be dealing with Andy Burnham on the subsequent normal election?”
She stated: “In no way… that is simply extra political psychodrama at a time when our nation wants robust management, and you understand the place my get together stands on this proper now: Keir Starmer is completely failing, 14 U-turns, his get together’s in disarray.”
6 days in the past09:59 Ciaran McGrath
Labour warned blocking Andy Burnham could be ‘horrible mistake’
Shami Chakrabarti has warned Labour towards blocking Andy Burnham, calling it a horrible mistake that might harm the get together.
In an change with Laura Kuenssberg, she famous {that a} senior Labour determine praised Mr Burnham as an distinctive politician, appreciated his letter’s tone, and took him at his phrase.
Ms Chakrabarti argued an bold politician would keep away from affiliation with any cagey, nervous, defensive choice on candidate choice.
She identified that barring hopefuls who would possibly at some point search the premiership would go away the Commons inexperienced benches empty.
Ms Chakrabarti urged the Nationwide Govt Committee to behave neatly, stressing the populist far-right risk to the nation far exceeds any particular person, faction or get together.
Baroness Shami Chakrabarti (Picture: BBC) 6 days in the past09:45 Ciaran McGrath
Angela Rayner strikes deal to return as Deputy PM if Burnham topples Starmer
Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has struck a deal to return to energy if Andy Burnham topples Sir Keir Starmer, it has been claimed.
It comes simply months after she was sensationally compelled out of the Cupboard following revelations she underpaid stamp obligation on her £800,000 Hove flat.
Now she is ready to make a comeback after shut allies revealed she is ready to surrender her personal ambitions for the highest job and again Mr Burnham as a substitute.
In return she could be handed again her position as Deputy Prime Minister, in addition to a plum Cupboard place.
6 days in the past09:38 Ciaran McGrath
‘He desires Starmer’s job’
Shabana Mahmood was placed on the spot by Laura Kuenssberg in a spiky interview.
The BBC journalist stated: “The true problem, which you understand, and I do know and everybody watching is aware of, is that Keir Starmer and his allies are deeply nervous about permitting Andy Burnham into parliament, as a result of it is no secret he desires his job. That is what that is about.”
Ms Mahmood stated: “Look, I believe we must always take Andy at his personal phrase. I actually appreciated the tone of the letter that he wrote yesterday. He addressed that letter to me because the chair, but it surely was for the broader get together as nicely.
“And his case, as he has made it, is to wish to are available in and be a part of the staff and to take the struggle to reform, utilizing the success of Manchester as a part of that argument. If he is additionally stated clearly, mayoralty up for grabs in reform, which is a a lot larger job, with no offence to the person MPs.”
She continued: “That is an enormous job. However Andy has stated, in his personal phrases that Keir is the perfect particular person to be the prime minister has made it very clear in his letter what his motivation is for wanting to come back into parliament.
“I do imagine Andy Burnham, as a result of I take him at his phrase. I’ve by no means had any purpose to not take him at his phrase. I belief him as I say, we work very intently collectively, and I’m going to take what he says at face worth, as a result of I do know I can try this with Andy.”
6 days in the past09:28 Ciaran McGrath
Burnham ‘an distinctive politician’, says Mahmood
Andy Burnham is an “distinctive politician” and Labour wants “all our greatest gamers making a contribution”, Shabana Mahmood has stated.
Requested whether or not she wish to see him again in Parliament, the Dwelling Secretary informed Sky Information’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: “I genuinely assume Andy is a implausible politician.
“I’ve labored intently with him earlier than. We have mentioned police reform collectively, we have mentioned funding for Higher Manchester Police. I labored very intently with him within the response to the terrorist assault in Manchester on the Heaton Park synagogue.
“I believe he is an distinctive politician, and naturally I all the time assume we must always have all of our greatest gamers making their contribution to the Labour Authorities.”
Shabana Mahmood chatting with Laura Kuenssberg (Picture: BBC) 6 days in the past09:26 Ciaran McGrath
Shabana Mahmood tight-lipped on Burnham choice
Shabana Mahmood, who chairs Labour’s Nationwide Govt Committee, wouldn’t be drawn on whether or not Andy Burnham could be allowed to face within the Gorton and Denton by-election.
Chatting with Sky Information’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, the Dwelling Secretary stated: “I believe Andy’s a implausible mayor for Higher Manchester, and I actually appreciated the letter that he wrote to myself and the remainder of the nationwide govt yesterday, I assumed he made his case in a particularly reasonable minded and respectable approach.
“That’s now a choice for the Nationwide Govt Committee. The officers will meet in a while in the present day.
“I’m the chair of that committee, and I believe it is my job to be an neutral chair. I will not wish to say something that will get forward of that dialogue in a while in the present day.
“It isn’t my job because the chair to make feedback and doubtlessly depart myself open to the accusation that I am making an attempt to sway the talk in a single course or the opposite.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan urged the Labour Celebration to not block Andy Burnham from working for Parliament, regardless of some MPs hoping he’ll problem Sir Keir Starmer for management.
Mr Burnham, who has fervent assist amongst Labour’s hard-left, has till 5pm in the present day (Saturday) to ask for permission to face within the Gorton and Denton by-election by-election, with reviews suggesting the Prime Minister’s supporters will search to dam his candidacy.
On Saturday, a collection of senior Labour politicians urged the get together’s nationwide govt committee (NEC) to not stand in Mr Burnham’s approach. Most express was Sir Sadiq, who informed the Fabian Society convention he thought Mr Burnham must be allowed to face and would marketing campaign for him.
He stated: “I am a agency believer in the perfect staff having all of the expertise taking part in for them.”
Sadiq Khan is backing Andy Burnham’s return as an MP (Picture: Getty) 6 days in the past08:20 Ciaran McGrath
Reform UK says it is able to struggle Andy Burnham in by-election
The scene is ready for an epic battle between Andy Burnham — one of the bold Labour politicians of his technology — and Reform UK if the current Mayor of Higher Manchester is permitted to face within the Gorton and Denton by-election.
If Labour’s Nationwide Govt Committee (NEC) grants Mr Burnham permission to face this can gasoline hypothesis that he may succeed Sir Keir Starmer as the subsequent Labour chief and Prime Minister.
A Reform UK spokesman stated the get together plans to “give it our all” within the by-election triggered by Labour’s Andrew Gwynne stepping down.
He stated: “This by-election is not at all a certainty for Labour, the Left-wing Greens will break up their vote and we would be the challenger.”
6 days in the past07:57 Ciaran McGrath
What’s the NEC and why does it matter to Starmer and Burnham?
The Nationwide Govt Committee (NEC) is the governing physique of the UK Labour Celebration chargeable for overseeing get together guidelines, candidate alternatives, disciplinary actions, and main strategic choices.
On this case, the NEC holds the authority to grant or deny Andy Burnham “categorical permission” to face as a candidate within the Gorton and Denton by-election, as he’s at the moment serving as an elected mayor.
For Keir Starmer, the NEC is essential as a result of it’s largely managed by his allies, giving him leverage to dam Burnham’s return to Westminster and thereby cut back the chance of a future management problem from the favored “King of the North”.
Burnham’s bid relies upon completely on the NEC’s choice, anticipated inside 24 hours, as rejection may forestall him from mounting any parliamentary comeback or utilizing the by-election as a platform.
The end result issues deeply as a result of blocking Burnham dangers alienating senior Labour figures and the grassroots, doubtlessly deepening get together divisions, whereas approving him may open the door for inner dissent towards Starmer’s management.
If Andy Burnham does get permission to face, he wish to face a problem from George Galloway.
The controversial left-winger posted on X: “IF #AndyBurnham is the “Labour” candidate to be MP for #GortonDenton I would be the candidate for the #WorkersParty.”
Mr Galloway’s put up was shared by Reform UK MP Lee Anderson, who commented: “Cat amongst the pigeons – actually” in reference to the ex-Labour MP’s notorious stint on Celeb Huge Brother.
Cat amongst the pigeons.
Actually ud83dude3b https://t.co/WuKaxOoEmG
u2014 Lee Anderson MP (@LeeAndersonMP_) January 24, 2026
6 days in the past07:39 Ciaran McGrath
Burnham’s long-held ambitions gasoline NEC choice battle
Mr Burnham – often known as the “King of the North” – has made no secret of his ambitions to develop into Prime Minister and confirmed many MPs urged him to problem Sir Keir final yr.
Andrew Gwynne’s resignation from the Gorton and Denton seat triggered the by-election, and Burnham should now search categorical permission from the 10-member NEC to face.
Mainstream, a newly shaped soft-Left group endorsed by Burnham, launched a petition calling for a “truthful, democratic and open choice” with no certified candidates excluded.
The NEC is anticipated to announce its choice throughout the subsequent 24 hours.
6 days in the past07:34 Ciaran McGrath
Why is that this taking place now?
The Gorton and Denton by-election was triggered on Thursday after the sitting MP, Andrew Gwynne, introduced his resignation from Parliament on well being grounds.
Though Mr Gwynne received the seat with 51% of the vote in 2024, Mr Burnham may nonetheless face a tricky struggle given the collapse in Labour’s polling place and the rise of each Reform UK and the Inexperienced Celebration.
If elected, Mr Burnham could be legally required to face down as mayor of Higher Manchester, triggering a city-wide by-election.
In a letter to the NEC asking for permission to face, he stated he would “give my all” in any mayoral by-election, including he was “assured” Labour may win.
The by-election has been triggered by Andrew Gwynne’s resignation (Picture: Getty) 6 days in the past07:32 Ciaran McGrath
NEC loyalists weigh controversial ways to dam Burnham
Loyalists on the NEC have instructed Mr Burnham’s return may very well be blocked by introducing guidelines that solely enable ladies or ethnic minorities to be shortlisted for the by-election seat.
However any transfer to stop Mr Burnham from standing as an MP will now put Sir Keir at odds with senior get together figures.
A Labour insider informed The Telegraph there isn’t a approach Mr Burnham might be permitted by the NEC because the “numbers aren’t there”.
The Prime Minister’s allies on the NEC have ramped up rhetoric concerning the Higher Manchester Mayor’s unsuitability, citing get together funds and the price of a future mayoral by-election.
6 days in the past07:28 Ciaran McGrath
Senior Labour figures rally behind Burnham’s comeback
Ed Miliband heaped reward on Mr Burnham, saying he could be a “large asset in Parliament”.
Lucy Powell, the deputy Labour chief, and Sir Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, additionally backed Mr Burnham’s return to Westminster, reported the Telegraph.
Wes Streeting condemned nameless briefings towards Mr Burnham as a “shame”, insisting he’s “a part of the staff” and shouldn’t be handled like that.
A number of Labour backbenchers together with Karl Turner, Nadia Whittome, Ian Byrne, Chris Webb, Kim Johnson and Cat Smith piled stress on the management to not block Burnham.
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6 days in the past07:16 Ciaran McGrath
Starmer beneath fireplace as Burnham pushes for Commons comeback
Sir Keir Starmer is dealing with a brand new inner storm after Andy Burnham confirmed he desires to return to Westminster, opening the door to a possible Labour management showdown.
The Higher Manchester mayor has formally requested Labour’s ruling Nationwide Govt Committee (NEC) for permission to face within the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election, a transfer that has ignited fierce debate throughout the get together.
Supporters of Mr Burnham insist he should not be blocked by Labour’s hierarchy, warning that stopping him from standing would expose deep factionalism on the prime of the get together and hand momentum to rivals corresponding to Reform UK and the Greens.
We’ll be following occasions intently as Labour’s NEC decides whether or not Andy Burnham can stand for election to Parliament.
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