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Approximately fifty Labour MPs have expressed opposition to the party’s decision to prevent Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from contesting an upcoming parliamentary by-election, according to BBC News. These MPs have collectively written to Sir Keir Starmer, warning that this move could provide Reform UK with an advantage. Polling data suggests that Burnham might represent Labour’s strongest candidate to secure the vacant Gorton and Denton seat.
The letter from these MPs, addressed to Sir Keir Starmer, NEC chair Shabana Mahmood, and Labour’s General Secretary Hollie Ridley, argues there is no valid justification for barring Burnham from standing and urges the National Executive Committee (NEC) to reconsider their decision. They highlighted that the ruling has sparked significant frustration and unease among both Labour parliamentarians and party members across the country. Additionally, around six Labour peers have added their signatures to the letter.
Sir Keir Starmer defended the NEC’s stance by emphasizing that permitting Burnham to run would drain essential Labour resources—both financial and personnel—from other critical elections. He explained, “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.” The NEC also noted that if Burnham won the parliamentary seat, it would trigger a costly mayoral election to fill the vacancy he would leave in Greater Manchester. The previous mayoral poll in that region reportedly cost taxpayers approximately £4.7 million.
Though Burnham is viewed as a possible contender for Labour’s leadership, he would need a seat in Parliament to effectively challenge Sir Keir Starmer. After the NEC vote on Sunday, which saw eight of its ten members supporting the decision to block Burnham, there was only backing from Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell, while Shabana Mahmood abstained. Burnham declined to offer additional comments on the ruling, stating, “I’ve said what I needed to say and here I am back in my job. A full focus on my job as mayor of Greater Manchester.” When pressed on whether he believed Sir Keir was afraid of him, Burnham maintained, “I’m not making any further comment.” Previously, he expressed disappointment over the party’s decision and criticized how the news was disclosed. The by-election for Gorton and Denton, a seat Labour won in 2024 with a 13,000-vote majority, is anticipated to take place on 26 February. Both Reform UK and the Green Party are expected to present stronger opposition this time. Former Labour minister Harriet Harman urged colleagues to move past internal disputes and concentrate their efforts on winning the upcoming election. Burnham’s current term as Greater Manchester Mayor started in May 2024 and is set to run until May 2028
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