A Labour National Executive Committee (NEC) member has said the party's leadership rules should “not be tweaked” to allow Andy Burnham to run for prime minister. Luke Akehurst, MP for North Durham, said it was not “physically possible” for the Greater Manchester mayor to participate in a contest if one began imminently, as Burnham is not an MP.
Burnham's backers have been lobbying the NEC to extend the leadership election timetable to give him time to return to parliament via a byelection, warning against a “coronation” for Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Such a move could stretch the contest to around three months, prolonging the disruption facing the party.
Speaking to Sky News, Akehurst said changing the rules for one individual was inappropriate. “If a contest started right now, I just don’t see how it’s physically possible for Andy Burnham to participate,” he said. “I don’t think the Labour party’s rules and procedures are there to be tweaked, to suit one particular person.”
The NEC blocked Burnham's return to parliament in January, a decision that drew anger from Labour MPs and union backers. Deputy Leader Angela Rayner said on Thursday that Burnham should not have been prevented from re-entering parliament. “We cannot afford to be factional about this,” she said.
Another NEC member, Abdi Duale, said officials were “backing away” from blocking Burnham's return, according to Politico. Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves warned that a leadership battle could plunge the UK “into chaos” and threaten its economic recovery, as official figures showed the economy grew by 0.6% in the first quarter of 2026.
