Keir Starmer’s allies fuelled Labour’s deepening civil war today as they blocked Andy Burnham from returning to Westminster and mounting a potential leadership challenge.
The party’s ruling National Executive Committee voted 8-1 against letting the Greater Manchester mayor and self-styled ‘King of the North’ stand in an upcoming by-election, after his 11th-hour declaration that he wants to fight it.
Mr Burnham last night said he wanted to quit as mayor before the end of his term and try his luck in the Gorton and Denton seat being vacated by disgraced former minister Andrew Gwynne.
The former minister has been fuelling speculation for months that he wants to come back to run against Sir Keir for the party leadership and the keys to No10.
But he needed the permission of the Starmerite-dominated NEC officers committee to step down as mayor and stand as a by-election candidate.
This morning they heavily rejected his plea, ostensibly over the cost electing a new mayor to replace him
Only Lucy Powell, the former minister and Labour deputy leader – who is also a Manchester MP – voted in favour of him running.
The committee is led by Sir Keir’s Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who did not vote. Before the meeting she praised him as an ‘exceptional politician but told Sky News: ‘I don’t think the country would forgive us if we indulge in a psychodrama.’
However senior figures like Ed Miliband and Sadiq Khan have backed Mr Burnham and MPs went public to warn Sir Keir and his allied to get out of the way.
The move to block him led to a fresh wave of anger from critics of the PM unhappy with how he has run the country in the past 18 months.
Andrea Egan, the new general secretary of the Unison union, said: ‘I know many, many trade unionists will be so disappointed and angry at local members not being given a say over who their candidate should be. This isn’t the way any democratic organisation should be run.’
Labour have plunged deeper towards civil war as Andy Burnham (pictured) announced his bid to become an MP
The committee is led by Sir Keir’s Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. She today told Sky News she would remain impartial, but added: ‘I don’t think the country would forgive us if we indulge in a psychodrama’
The move would be his first step in challenging Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership (pictured on January 23)
Before the announcement, Justin Madders, who was a minister until he was sacked by Sir Keir in a reshuffle last year, said: ‘The overriding consideration for the party should be who is best placed to win and represent the people of Gorton & Denton – no stitch ups, no second guessing what might happen down the line.
‘We need our best players on the pitch and the PM needs the best serving in his Government.’
However other leading figures questioned Mr Burnham’s motives for running. Lord Walney, a former Labour MP, likened the mayor and his allies to comedy character Alan Partridge with their ‘football metaphors’.
He added: ‘Andy Burnham’s supporters shouldn’t treat Labour members like idiots with this ”don’t leave your best player on the bench” argument about needing him to stop another Reform MP getting into parliament.
‘The only reason that risk exists is because Andy wanted a by-election now. The mayorality of Greater Manchester is not ”the bench”.’
The Mail on Sunday understands Mr Burnham made his approach after securing the backing of more than 100 Labour MPs, which would be enough to trigger a formal challenge to the PM if he returns to Parliament.
Mr Burnham’s backers fear that Sir Keir’s absence on a trip to China this week could embolden the NEC to block his rival.
Mr Burnham posted his letter to the NEC on social media site X at precisely 5pm today. In it, he said it was a ‘difficult decision’ but that he had given ‘careful thought’ to the best interests of the Labour Party and of Manchester.
And despite the divisive effects his manoeuvres are likely to have, he said he wanted to run a ‘hopeful and unifying campaign’.
Mr Burnham insisted: ‘I would be there to support the work of the Government, not undermine it, and I have passed on this assurance to the Prime Minister.’
Mr Burnham’s potential route to the leadership was opened when Mr Gwynne quit as MP last week.
It came a year after The Mail on Sunday revealed the MP was part of a WhatsApp group called Trigger Me Timbers that shared vile racist, sexist and anti-Semitic jokes. No 10 sacked him as Health Minister and he was suspended from the Labour Party.
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The Mail on Sunday previously revealed in December that Angela Rayner (pictured on September 25, 2024) had ‘done a deal’ to be Mr Burnham’s running mate.
Mr Burnham’s backers fear that Sir Keir’s absence on a trip to China this week could embolden the NEC, which is chaired by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood (pictured on November 16, 2025)
Announcing he was leaving the Commons, Mr Gwynne cited long-term health problems ‘exacerbated by the impact of last year’s events’.
If he was elected as an MP, Mr Burnham would be in a position to mount a leadership challenge against Sir Keir –likely to be triggered if Labour suffers the catastrophic losses it is expected to sustain at the local elections in May.
The MoS revealed in December that Angela Rayner had ‘done a deal’ to be Mr Burnham’s running mate.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting is regarded by Mr Burnham’s supporters as his only credible opponent in the event of a leadership contest.
The NEC is facing pressure to allow Mr Burnham to stand. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband told the Fabian Society conference today: I very much hope that the local party will have the option of picking Andy as a candidate.’
Last week, Labour MPs told the MoS Mr Miliband will support Mr Burnham’s expected challenge on the understanding he will become Chancellor if Mr Burnham wins. London Mayor Sadiq Khan also backed Mr Burnham’s bid to stand as an MP, saying: ‘I’m a firm believer in the best team having all the talent playing for them.’
And Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell – a long-term thorn in Sir Keir’s side – said the decision on whether Mr Burnham should be the candidate ought to be ‘up to Andy and the local members’.
Writing on X, Chris Webb, MP for Blackpool South, said: ‘Our members are the lifeblood of our party and the NEC exists to serve them, not factions. Blocking Andy Burnham from Gorton & Denton will have serious lasting consequences. When you’re 2-0 down at half time, you bring on the super sub to help the team win.’
Health Secretary Wes Streeting (pictured on January 13) is regarded by Mr Burnham’s supporters
Kate Osborne, MP for Jarrow and Gateshead East, added: ‘We do not need factionalism before party – excluding Andy Burnham if he wants to stand would be a mistake & very weak.’
Others, however, appeared determined to block Mr Burnham. One member of the NEC reportedly told the BBC Newsnight’s Matt Chorley: ‘He will not be the candidate if I’ve got anything to ****ing do with it. Not a chance.’
Labour MP Graham Stringer accused Mr Burnham of ‘taking a big risk with his own career and the future of Labour in Manchester’.
In a rapid timetable, which critics believe is deliberately short to stymie Mr Burnham, a longlist of candidates, probably six, will be drawn up on Monday by a selection panel, shortlisting interviews will be held on Tuesday and hustings and selection will take place next Saturday.
Labour insiders estimate it could cost the party £1.5 million to organise and fight both a Westminster by-election and a ballot for the Greater Manchester mayoralty.
Even if the NEC allows him to fight the by-election, Mr Burnham will face a strong challenge from Reform and the Green Party.
An exclusive analysis commissioned by the MoS, which takes into account latest polling data, predicted that the seat could fall to the Greens.
But the study also shows that Reform would win if the Tories agreed not to stand – a forecast that will fuel calls for the parties on the Right to unite.
Analysis shows the two parties would gain 81 more seats between them if they entered a pact against the Left at the next general election.
