PM's allies begin 'Stop Burnham' campaign

Keir Starmer’s allies have launched a “Stop Andy Burnham” campaign to prevent the Labour mayor from returning to parliament after the resignation of a Manchester MP triggered a byelection.

- Pippa Crerar Jessica Elgot Josh Halliday

Members of the party’s ruling national executive committee (NEC) predicted it would be impossible for Burnham to make it through the selection process given the number of Starmer loyalists on the body desperate to avoid a leadership challenge.

The Labour party machine sprang into action after the Guardian revealed yesterday that Andrew Gwynne, MP for Gorton and Denton, was planning to quit over his ill health, with officials and MPs warning about the financial costand political risk ofa subsequent mayoral race.

However, allies of the Greater Manchester mayor suggested there would be significant disquiet among MPs, unions and party members should the leadership try to block his return.Burnham has made no secret of his ambitions. He prompted outrage within No10and among cabinet ministers when he said in the run-up to the party’s conference last year that many MPs had urged him to run for Labour leader.

Ithaslong been believed that Burnhamis seeking areturn to parliament tostand for the Labour leadership in the event of a challenge to Starmer. But his allies cautioned not to overstate the extent of planning, suggesting that he was passionate about his current job and would only return to national politics if he had something to contribute.

“People want to paint him as scheming and plotting but that’s absolutely not where he is. He loves being mayor of Manchester. It would only ever be an option if felt he had something to offer,’ one said.

With polls suggesting Starmer is unpopular in the country and many MPs despondent about Labour’s fate atthenext election, Burnham stands out as the only senior Labour figure with positive public approval ratings.