US EditionAndy Burnham Faces Decision on Bid to Return as MP
Labour’s National Executive Committee, controlled by Starmer allies, plans to block Burnham’s candidacy to prevent a leadership challenge amid concerns over electoral risks.
- On Thursday, allies on Labour's NEC moved to block Andy Burnham's return to Westminster after Andrew Gwynne resigned, opening a Gorton and Denton vacancy.
- Starmer's control of the NEC helps explain the move as party figures fear a Greater Manchester mayoral by-election would divert about �500,000 ahead of May elections.
- The party machine, led by Starmer's aides, could use selection rules including handpicking panels, an all-female shortlist, or a 'loyalty pledge' to block Burnham's nomination, Five NEC members said.
- If blocked, Labour MPs could try to reverse the NEC's decision, while a Burnham return would risk making Sir Keir Starmer a 'lame duck' amid poor polling and Reform UK's strong challenge.
- Any by-election called to coincide with May elections would heighten stakes, as blocking Burnham risks union backlash with the Fire Brigades Union calling it a 'democratic outrage' and trade unions holding 13 out of about 40 NEC seats.
27 Articles
27 Articles
Keir Starmer's weakness in the polls and among members of his party makes any electoral window a threat to his leadership. British Prime Minister's allies have launched a campaign, called “Stop Andy Burnham” by the media to avoid a possible attempt by the mayor of Manchester, one of the most popular personalities among Labour members and voters, to return to Parliament. In the possession of a seat, Burnham would be in a position to dispute Starm…
Labour Would Rather Lose Elections Than Give an Inch to the Left
Could the Labour party’s national executive committee (NEC) be poised to inflict the biggest act of self-harm since Sideshow Bob stepped on all those rakes? Allies of Keir Starmer (yes, apparently he still has them) are mulling over whether to block Manchester mayor Andy Burnham from being selected as the candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election. Because sure, on the one hand you’ve got one of the few Labour names that doesn’t make people…
Fire Brigades Union says Andy Burnham must be able to run in by-election campaign
Steve Wright, the general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, has made clear that Andy Burnham must be allowed to run in the Gorton and Denton by-election. It has emerged that Keir Starmer’s allies have launched a “Stop Andy Burnham” campaign to block the Labour mayor from returning to Parliament. This comes after Andrew Gwynne announced his resignation as an MP yesterday due to health issues. This means there is an opening for Burnham to ret…
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