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Andy Burnham has revealed his intention to seek approval to stand in the forthcoming by-election for the Gorton and Denton parliamentary seat. If successful, Burnham would enter Parliament as an MP, potentially positioning himself for a leadership challenge against Sir Keir Starmer. However, sources have informed the BBC that allies of the prime minister might attempt to block Burnham’s candidacy in the constituency.
Currently serving as the mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham emphasized that his goal is to support the Labour government rather than undermine it. He acknowledged that the choice to make his ambitions public was “difficult.” The vacancy in the Gorton and Denton seat arose after Andrew Gwynne resigned on health grounds the previous Friday.
As a directly elected mayor, Burnham must secure the backing of Labour’s national executive committee (NEC) before officially entering the race as the party’s candidate. Several Labour MPs have voiced frustration over the possibility of him being barred from standing, with some senior figures within the party expressing that Burnham deserves the chance to run. London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan stated, “If Andy Burnham wants to be a member of Parliament, Andy Burnham should be allowed to be a member of Parliament.” Energy Secretary Ed Miliband also praised Burnham, calling him a “massive asset” for Parliament and voicing hope that the local party members in Gorton and Denton would have “the option” to select him.
In a letter to the NEC shared on social media, Burnham spoke about a “direct threat to everything Greater Manchester has always been about,” referring to a divisive political approach. He described the by-election as “the frontline of that fight for the Manchester Way” and expressed his sense of duty to lead despite the risks involved. Burnham reflected on his departure from Westminster nearly ten years ago, feeling that it wasn’t serving people in his region effectively, and noted that as mayor, he sought to develop a different way of governing. He believes that for Manchester to reach its full potential, similar changes are necessary at the national level, which motivates his decision to return to Parliament.
Speculation has grown about a possible leadership challenge to the prime minister following the May elections, which include votes for the Welsh Parliament, Scottish Parliament, and some English local councils. Burnham has been considered a potential leadership candidate, but such a bid can only be made if he holds a Commons seat. In his letter to the NEC, he reassured that his intention in Parliament would be “to support the work of the government, not undermine it,” an assurance he says he has communicated to the prime minister.
Should Burnham be chosen as the Labour candidate and win the Gorton and Denton seat, he would need to resign as mayor of Greater Manchester, which would necessitate a fresh mayoral election. Some Labour insiders have indicated that the NEC might block his nomination due to concerns over the financial implications, as a mayoral election could be costly for both the party and taxpayers; the previous election reportedly cost around £4.7 million. The NEC’s final decision regarding Burnham’s application is anticipated on Sunday
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