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Following Labour’s decision to prevent Andy Burnham from standing in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election, the prime minister engaged in conversations with the Greater Manchester mayor on both Monday and Tuesday. This came after Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) chose to block Burnham’s candidacy, aiming to “avoid an unnecessary mayoral election,” as the seat became available due to former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne stepping down for health reasons.
Sir Keir Starmer, speaking to journalists aboard a flight to China, dismissed claims that Burnham was informed in advance about being barred from standing. “I know who was talking to Andy on Saturday and that wasn’t said,” he stated, countering reports suggesting Burnham had prior notification, which the mayor himself also denied. A 10-member NEC panel, including Starmer who voted in favor, cited the “disproportionate” expense the party would incur by contesting both elections concurrently.
Burnham, a former minister regarded by many as a potential challenger to Sir Keir should he seek to return to Westminster, responded firmly to these claims: “It is simply untrue to say that I was told that I would be blocked,” noting his ongoing communications with Downing Street: “I went through the whole weekend having conversations with people in No 10.” When asked if he would consider a return to Parliament, Starmer declined to speculate, emphasizing Burnham’s effective performance as Greater Manchester’s mayor.
Regarding the by-election itself, Starmer emphasized that only Labour can defeat Reform UK in this contest. He criticized Reform’s candidate, Matt Goodwin, characterizing their politics as “toxic division” that divides communities. Labour previously secured Gorton and Denton with a strong majority of 13,000 votes in the 2024 general election, while Reform UK finished second. Additionally, the Workers Party of Britain has appointed Shahbaz Sarwar, a Manchester City councillor, as their candidate for the contest
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