Labour's deputy leader has declared that the decision over whether Andy Burnham should be permitted to stand for Parliament must rest with the Greater Manchester mayor himself and the local party members. Lucy Powell made these remarks during her address at the Fabian Society's annual conference held in London, emphasising the importance of selecting the strongest possible candidate to secure a Labour victory in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.
Deadline Looming for Burnham's Decision
The prominent mayor, frequently mentioned as a potential challenger to Sir Keir Starmer's leadership, faces a critical deadline of 5pm today to declare his intention to contest the vacant parliamentary seat. However, even if he submits his application, there is a significant possibility that party officials loyal to the Prime Minister could intervene to block his candidacy.
Powell Advocates for Local Democracy
When questioned on whether Labour's national executive committee should grant Mr Burnham permission to stand, Ms Powell responded unequivocally. 'He has got to make up his own mind what he wants to do and he has until five o'clock today,' she stated. She went on to praise his popularity, noting, 'Andy Burnham is incredibly popular in my part of the world. He is an incredibly popular politician because he is really changing our city for the better.'
She further elaborated on her position, asserting, 'I think we should all come together and really celebrate where Labour is doing some great work. So, it should be up to Andy and the local members who will select their candidate, and our members are very discerning.' This stance highlights a clear preference for local party democracy over centralised control from the national executive.
Complex Hurdles for the Mayor
The by-election was triggered after the former MP for Gorton and Denton, Andrew Gwynne, formally resigned on Friday due to health concerns. While all applicants must submit their names by midnight on Sunday, Mr Burnham encounters additional procedural obstacles as a sitting regional mayor. He is required to seek explicit permission from Labour's National Executive Committee by the 5pm deadline today, a body notably populated with many staunch Starmer loyalists.
Should he be allowed to proceed, Mr Burnham would also need to resign from his current mayoral position and confront competition from Reform UK, adding further complexity to his potential campaign. Although Labour secured the seat with 51 per cent of the vote in 2024, it has since evolved into a precarious three-way marginal constituency.
Political Landscape and Internal Warnings
Reform UK has pledged to 'throw everything' at capturing the seat, while Green Party leader Zack Polanski is also reportedly considering a bid, a move that could fragment the Left-wing vote. Within Labour, health minister Stephen Kinnock offered a thinly-veiled suggestion on Friday that Mr Burnham should remain in his mayoral role, commending his performance. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy additionally cautioned that the party does not desire another leadership contest, warning it could precipitate an early general election.
Andy Burnham, who has served as Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, was previously the MP for Leigh from 2001 to 2017 and has contested the Labour leadership on two separate occasions. His potential return to Westminster now hinges on a delicate interplay of personal ambition, local member support, and the approval of the party's national hierarchy.
