Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has been blocked by the Labour Party from standing in the upcoming Makerfield byelection, sources confirmed on Wednesday. The decision dashes his hopes of returning to parliament and launching a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The move follows the announcement by Josh Simons, the Labour MP for Makerfield, that he would stand down, triggering a byelection. Simons said he believed the government was not delivering the urgent reform needed and that Burnham could provide a new direction. However, Labour's national executive committee (NEC) has refused to allow Burnham to stand, citing party rules.
Burnham had been seeking a route back to Westminster for months, but was previously blocked by Starmer from running in the Gorton and Denton byelection earlier this year. His supporters expressed anger at the latest decision, with one senior backer saying the party was 'now in the same place' on Burnham needing a shot at the leadership.
The byelection in Makerfield, where Labour holds a majority of just over 5,000, is now expected to go ahead without Burnham as a candidate. Reform UK, which came second in the seat last time, has said it will 'throw absolutely everything' at the contest. The party's leader Nigel Farage described Burnham as a far tougher opponent than Starmer.
Starmer's authority has been critically undermined in recent days, with the resignation of health secretary Wes Streeting and about 100 MPs calling for him to go. Several cabinet ministers have privately admitted they believe Starmer will not lead the party into the next election, with three telling the Guardian they expected a smooth transition of power to Burnham instead.
