Labour Blocks Andy Burnham’s Bid for Westminster Seat

Andy Burnham has been denied the opportunity to return to Westminster after the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) voted against his application to contest the Gorton and Denton seat in an upcoming by-election. The decision, made on March 10, 2024, reveals significant rifts within the party and poses a potential challenge to the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer.

The NEC met on Sunday, where it voted eight to one in favor of blocking Mr. Burnham’s candidacy. Lucy Powell, deputy leader of the party, was the only member to support his application, while Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary and NEC chair, abstained from voting to maintain neutrality in her official role.

Mr. Burnham, currently the Mayor of Greater Manchester, had expressed his desire to run just a day prior. Many saw this as a preliminary move in a possible challenge to Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership. However, his ambitions hinged on securing the NEC’s approval, which is largely composed of individuals aligned with the Prime Minister.

Supporters of Sir Keir Starmer contended that allowing Mr. Burnham to stand would have been a reckless decision. They argued it could have provided an opening for Reform UK to gain traction in the city during future mayoral elections. Some claimed Mr. Burnham’s actions were self-serving, potentially triggering a costly election in Greater Manchester if he were to leave his current position.

The decision to block Mr. Burnham has ignited backlash from various factions within the party, particularly among the Left and soft Left, who perceive it as an attempt to undermine a potential rival. The mainstream group close to Mr. Burnham has called for a reconsideration of the ruling, stating that Labour must act decisively against Reform UK and foster a strong parliamentary presence.

Veteran politician John McDonnell, a long-time ally of former leader Jeremy Corbyn, condemned the NEC’s ruling as a “disgusting decision.” He accused Sir Keir of lacking courage and warned that the move could hasten the Prime Minister’s decline. Former transport secretary Louise Haigh echoed these sentiments, describing the decision as disappointing and urging the leadership to rethink its strategy. She emphasized the absurdity of feeling threatened by a well-regarded politician.

Others within the party were more forthright. Jon Trickett, representing Normanton and Hemsworth, criticized the leadership for limiting candidates available to party members, suggesting it reflected a lack of confidence in Downing Street. One left-wing MP remarked that the leadership appeared “absolutely weak,” speculating that this incident might embolden other ambitious figures, such as Wes Streeting, to position themselves for future leadership roles.

In defense of the decision, Sir Keir’s supporters framed it as a pragmatic choice rather than a political maneuver. They highlighted concerns that a mayoral contest would deplete party resources and risk losing an important urban stronghold to Reform UK. Communities Secretary Steve Reed reinforced this viewpoint, stating that voters did not want an unnecessary mid-term election and reminding the public that Mr. Burnham had been elected to a four-year term just two years earlier.

Behind closed doors, the decision to exclude the so-called “King of the North” has intensified speculation regarding Labour’s internal stability following a series of policy reversals and declining poll numbers. Supporters of the Prime Minister have pointed to Mr. Burnham’s previous remarks about Labour’s financial commitments, arguing they unsettled investors and increased borrowing costs.

Despite the controversy, Mr. Burnham has garnered support from notable figures, including Ed Miliband and Sir Sadiq Khan, while Mr. Streeting has previously criticized negative briefings against him, although he stopped short of a full endorsement.

With Mr. Burnham now effectively sidelined, attention shifts to potential beneficiaries of the fallout. Angela Rayner and Mr. Streeting are regarded as future contenders, and the incident has provided disgruntled MPs with a new grievance to address. The Labour Party’s selected candidate for Gorton will face a rigorous challenge from Reform UK, which finished second in the constituency during the 2024 elections. The sitting MP, Andrew Gwynne, has announced his intention to step down amid an ethics investigation.

Many Labour members fear that if the party were to lose the Gorton seat following Mr. Burnham’s exclusion, the repercussions for Sir Keir Starmer could be severe. Mr. Burnham, who has previously sought the Labour leadership and served in Gordon Brown‘s Cabinet, is expected to feel liberated in voicing criticism of the current leadership from the sidelines. His allies suggest he has long harbored ambitions of leading the party himself.

As Labour grapples with its internal strife, the public spectacle of senior figures engaging in open disputes and anonymous briefing only serves to reinforce perceptions of a party consumed by distraction, disunity, and internal conflict.