Angela Rayner will support Andy Burnham being allowed to stand as an MP in a vacant Manchester seat, despite concerns he could undermine Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership. Burnham’s deliberations over whether to quit as Mayor of Greater Manchester to stand in the Gorton and Denton seat have sparked a civil war in the Labour Party.
Starmer loyalists have moved to block his candidacy over concerns he could challenge the Prime Minister, while those on the left have said there should not be a “London stitch-up”. Labour published the timetable for applications, giving Burnham until 5pm on Saturday to decide. Other candidates have until Sunday evening to apply.
Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell said the decision “should be up to Andy and the local members”. It is understood Rayner is set to declare her support for Burnham at Labour’s North West regional conference on Saturday.
The Prime Minister’s allies have been lobbying Labour’s National Executive Committee to block Burnham. However, union affiliates and local councillors want a viable soft-left candidate available to replace Starmer in the event of a leadership election.
