Labour divided as Starmer blocks ambitious Burnham

Sir Keir Starmer has blocked Andy Burnham's bid to return to Westminster in a political gamble that risks sparking civil war within Labour.

- KATE DEVLIN WHITEHALL EDITOR

The prime minister voted with other members of the party’s powerful national executive committee (NEC) ruling body to reject his potential leadership rival's request to be allowed to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election, by eight votes to one.

In a statement, the party said permission had been denied, in a meeting that lasted just an hour, to avoid "an unnecessary election" to replace Mr Burnham as mayor of Greater Manchester.

But the move sparked fury among many Labour MPs, who warned their leader that the decision, which ignored calls from senior party figures to allow Mr Burnham to stand, looked weak, would trigger "bloodletting" and would "hasten your demise".

The decision prevents Mr Burnham's attempt to return to the Commons, at least in the short term, where many see him as the person who could replace Sir Keir in the event of a leadership challenge, as the party continues to trail behind Reform in the polls.

Responding to the decision on X (Twitter), Mr Burnham wrote: "I am disappointed by today's NEC decision and concerned about its potential impact on the important elections ahead of us.

"To whoever is Labour's candidate and to our members in Manchester and Tameside: you will have my full support and I will be there whenever you need me."

In another post on X later, Mr Burnham said: "PS - The fact that the media was informed of the NEC decision before I was tells you everything you need to know about the way the Labour Party is being run these days. You would think that over 30 years of service would count for something but sadly not."