Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
Andy Burnham is making significant progress towards a return to Parliament, as two major obstacles have recently been overcome. A Labour Member of Parliament has stepped down, creating an opportunity for Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, to stand for a parliamentary seat. This development contrasts with an earlier situation before the Gorton and Denton by-election earlier this year, when Sir Keir Starmer and Labour’s National Executive Committee blocked Burnham from standing.
This time, however, there is a different approach from the government. Number 10 has indicated it will not intervene to prevent Burnham’s candidacy. In light of recent turmoil within the party, including calls for the prime minister’s resignation from nearly a third of Labour MPs, including the health secretary and four other ministers, Sir Keir appears to lack the authority to block Burnham once more. This effectively clears another hurdle in Burnham’s path, though the primary challenge remains: winning the seat.
Burnham aims to contest in Makerfield, where recent elections have shown a strong advance by Reform UK. Two years ago at the general election, Reform UK finished second to Labour with just under a third of the vote. But in last week’s local elections, Reform UK swept all 11 wards in Makerfield, securing roughly half of the vote in the area. Nigel Farage has already indicated that his party will “throw absolutely everything at it,” signaling an intense and competitive battle ahead. Despite this, signs of emerging unity within Labour’s internal divisions have begun to surface.
Josh Simons, the Labour MP for Makerfield who is stepping down to allow Burnham to run, is not considered a natural ally of Burnham’s. He is closely associated with the right-wing of the party, being an ally of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and a former head of the think tank Labour Together, known for backing Sir Keir’s leadership. Simons’ decision to resign in favour of Burnham is therefore noteworthy. Burnham’s supporters have called him a “unity” candidate and hope this move will pressure Sir Keir Starmer to announce a clear timetable for his resignation from Downing Street.
Many across Labour’s factions, including those who had previously backed other leadership contenders, have privately expressed support for Burnham to lead the party if he wins the by-election. One minister emphasised, “I think Josh [Simons] has just single-handedly given the Labour Party a route to winning back the trust of the British people.” When asked about backing Burnham, another minister replied, “If he wins [the by-election] we all are.” Additionally, another MP from the party’s right wing described Simons’s act as “politically brave” and said it will finally resolve whether Burnham is the right person to become prime minister.
Labour Deputy Leader Lucy Powell, a close ally of Burnham, is expected to voice strong support for his return to Parliament soon. She will highlight the importance of Burnham, Wes Streeting, and Angela Rayner as key figures in the party’s future. Powell is confident that Burnham’s desire to re-enter Parliament is backed by the majority of Labour supporters and the wider movement.
Not everyone within Labour is on board with this strategy. Luke Akehurst, a known figure on the party’s right, cautioned against the internal politicking, warning, “This level of internal game playing risks driving us into a General Election within months, as well as causing months of deep political instability that have real world consequences for the economy and national security.” Another member criticized both Simons and Burnham, calling their behavior “disgraceful” and emphasizing that Labour should not be about personal ambition or ego.
For now, Sir Keir Starmer remains steadfast in his position, refusing to step down and signaling to allies that he intends to defend his leadership if a contest arises. Attention is now focused on the forthcoming by-election in Makerfield, which may unfold as a particularly unusual and contentious race. Some party strategists believe Burnham’s campaign may primarily serve as a challenge to Sir Keir’s leadership rather than a straightforward local election effort.
If Sir Keir announces his departure, Burnham would need to present himself as an alternative who can move the party away from past mistakes and stale policies. Success in the by-election would mark a turning point in Burnham’s political fortunes, demonstrating his ability to reclaim voters from Reform UK and strengthen Labour’s electoral prospects amidst falling poll ratings under the current leader. Victory would position him as a leading contender for the Labour leadership and potentially Number 10 itself. However, failure to win the seat would likely end Burnham’s ambitions to lead the party
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.