Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has formally applied to stand as the Labour candidate in the upcoming Gorton and Denton byelection, setting up a potential clash with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The move comes after sitting MP Andrew Gwynne announced his resignation due to ill health; Gwynne had been sitting as an independent following suspension from Labour over offensive WhatsApp messages.
Allies of Sir Keir Starmer are urging him to block Burnham from running, fearing the mayor’s longstanding leadership ambitions could destabilise Labour. “If Keir doesn’t make the call [to block Burnham], it’s game over,” one source said. Another added: “Andy’s candidacy is not going anywhere. It will cost too much to fight the Manchester mayoralty and there is no guarantee we would win it.”
Burnham, who submitted his application alongside a letter to Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC), described the byelection as “the frontline of that fight for the Manchester Way”. He pledged a “hopeful and unifying” campaign, but faces strong challenges from Reform UK and the Green Party. Some polling suggests Burnham is the only Labour candidate capable of seeing off Nigel Farage’s party in the seat.
The NEC could meet as early as Sunday to decide whether to allow Burnham to resign as mayor and seek selection. Starmer’s allies hold a majority on the committee and are expected to vote against him if Downing Street signals opposition. One insider cited “significant cost implications” for holding both a mayoral selection and a byelection.
London mayor Sadiq Khan and Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell have publicly backed Burnham. Khan said: “I’m a firm believer in the best team having all the talent playing for them, and if Andy wants to return to parliament, I will try and make some time… to knock on some doors for him.” Powell, who represents neighbouring Manchester Central, warned the NEC against blocking him, noting Labour could easily lose to Reform or the Greens if the wrong candidate is selected.
