Labour NEC Blocks Andy Burnham From Gorton And Denton By-Election
Labour's NEC refused Mayor Andy Burnham permission to run in the Gorton and Denton by-election, citing costs and disruption of a mayoral contest.
Overview
The 10-member National Executive Committee denied Mayor Andy Burnham permission to seek selection for the Gorton and Denton by-election, the Labour Party said.
Labour said it blocked Burnham to avoid an "unnecessary mayoral election" that it warned would have a "substantial and disproportionate impact" on campaign resources ahead of May contests.
NEC members voted 8-1 to block Burnham, with Deputy Leader Lucy Powell the sole vote to allow him and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood abstaining, NEC sources said.
Gorton and Denton was a Labour seat with a 13,000 majority in 2024 and Burnham's mayoral mandate runs until May 2028, party records show.
The by-election is expected by the end of February, and critics including Louise Haigh warned the move could deepen party divisions and fuel leadership tensions for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, party sources said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this as an intra-party crisis by foregrounding Starmer's weakened poll standing and leadership risk, using evaluative verbs ('row erupted', 'tanked') and highlighting Burnham’s ambitions. The coverage privileges context about poll declines and party strategy while juxtaposing party rationales with critics’ claims that the move was politically motivated.
Sources (6)
FAQ
The NEC blocked Burnham to avoid the costs and disruption of a simultaneous mayoral by-election in Greater Manchester, which would impact party resources ahead of May elections.
The 10-member NEC panel voted 8-1 against granting Burnham permission, with Deputy Leader Lucy Powell voting in favor and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood abstaining.
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Andrew Gwynne on health grounds.
Yes, Burnham's potential return to Parliament as an MP was viewed by some as a challenge to Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership.
Critics warn it could deepen Labour Party divisions, fuel leadership speculation around Starmer, and be perceived as a 'stitch-up' by his allies.
History
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