PM: Blocking Burnham bid was for good of party

KEIR Starmer has said Andy Burnham is doing a “great job” as Greater Manchester mayor, but allowing him to run for a Westminster seat would “divert our resources” from Labour's campaigns in May elections.

- DAVID HUGHES, NINA LLOYD, CHRISTOPHER McKEON and SARAH COLLIER

The Prime Minister insisted the “battle of our times” was between Labour and Reform UK rather than within his own party despite internal anger over the move to block Mr Burnham from standing in Gorton and Denton.

He appealed for unity within the party as it braces for local elections in spring, urging members and MPs to “line up together” to play a part in “a fight that matters hugely to the future of our country’.

A 10-strong group from Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC), including the Prime Minister, voted to deny Mr Burnham permission to run in the Greater Manchester by-election at a meeting on Sunday.

Critics have accused Mr Starmer and his allies of preventing Mr Burnham’s candidacy for factional reasons, fearing a leadership challenge from the mayor as both Labour's poll ratings and his personal approval flounder.

The Prime Minister faced questions about the move yesterday on a visit to southwest London with Health Secretary Wes Streeting, another potential rival who would benefit from the mayor's absence if he chose to stand in any contest.