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Starmer speaks to Burnham after by-election row
Labour's National Executive Committee cited high costs and leadership rivalry concerns in blocking Burnham despite 50 MPs urging reconsideration, ahead of a contest against Reform UK.
- On Monday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke to Andy Burnham and was in touch again on Tuesday, saying `that's a matter for Andy` and praising his `first-class job` as mayor of Greater Manchester.
- A 10-member panel of Labour's National Executive Committee blocked Burnham over the weekend, citing the `disproportionate` cost, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer among eight voting to bar him.
- The by-election was triggered after Andrew Gwynne resigned last week for health reasons, and Labour won the seat at the 2024 general election while Reform UK selected Matt Goodwin after finishing second with 5,000 votes.
- Party figures framed the contest as a `straight fight between Labour and Reform`, and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said only Labour can beat Reform UK in the Gorton and Denton constituency.
- Burnham denied he was told he would be blocked, saying `It is simply untrue to say that I was told that I would be blocked`, while around 50 Labour MPs urged the NEC to `re-evaluate` its decision.
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Angela Rayner is now Keir Starmer’s greatest threat
Having been blocked from becoming Labour’s candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election next month, Andy Burnham appears unlikely to return to Westminster before the end of his mayoralty in 2028. Among the reported winners and losers from the National Executive Committee’s decision, one name was curiously absent. With Burnham out of the race, the crown of Labour’s “soft Left” — the most dominant grouping among the party membership — will almo…
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The Independent (US)
The Independent (US)Burnham blocked but Rayner returning: Why Starmer cannot shake leadership speculation
The former deputy prime minister was forced to resign last year over her tax affairs, but political editor David Maddox explains why her charisma could see her launch a remarkable comeback
·London, United Kingdom
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left4Leaning Right2Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Left
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Left
45% Left
L 45%
C 33%
R 22%
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