The Labour Party is facing internal turmoil after Keir Starmer and his allies blocked Andy Burnham from standing in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election. The decision, taken by the party's National Executive Committee (NEC), has provoked a furious backlash from MPs, union leaders, and senior party figures.
The NEC's officers' group voted eight to one against Burnham's request to seek selection, arguing that a by-election to replace him as Greater Manchester mayor would be costly and destabilising. However, critics have accused Starmer of 'petty factionalism' and warned that the move could hand the seat to Reform UK.
Andrea Egan, head of the Unison union, said members would be 'disappointed and angry', while a union source described the decision as 'blatant gerrymandering'. Ed Miliband, Sadiq Khan, Lucy Powell, and Angela Rayner had all backed Burnham's candidacy. Powell was the sole NEC member to support him.
Burnham expressed disappointment, criticising 'the way the Labour party is being run'. Starmer's allies hope the block will shore up his position ahead of May elections and prevent a leadership challenge, but acknowledge it deepens internal rifts and risks further eroding party discipline.
The decision effectively prevents Burnham from returning to parliament in the short term, where he would be seen as a major rival to Starmer. Labour figures in the north-west fear Reform UK could capitalise on the controversy and win the seat.
