Labour MPs Revolt as Burnham Accuses No. 10 of Lies Over Byelection Block
Approximately fifty Labour MPs have put their names to a formal letter objecting to the party's controversial decision to prevent Andy Burnham from standing as a candidate in next month's Gorton and Denton parliamentary byelection. The move has ignited a significant internal party dispute, with the Manchester mayor himself now accusing Downing Street sources of deliberately spreading falsehoods about the circumstances surrounding his blocked application.
Burnham Denies Downing Street Briefings
The conflict escalated sharply after Andy Burnham publicly challenged suggestions from unnamed allies of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. These sources had claimed that Burnham had been told "in no uncertain terms" that any request to the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) to approve his candidacy would be refused. Burnham responded directly to a social media post by ITV's political editor Robert Peston, which implied that sources close to the Prime Minister viewed Burnham's attempt to stand as a deliberate act to destabilise Starmer's leadership.
"This is simply untrue," Burnham stated categorically. Peston later reported that a second source had corroborated Burnham's account of events, adding that the mayor was "seeking an urgent call with No. 10 about the briefing."
MPs Warn of 'Gift' to Reform UK
The letter signed by the cohort of Labour backbenchers delivers a stark warning to the Prime Minister. The MPs argue that barring a high-profile figure like Burnham from the 26th February contest represents a "real gift" to the rival Reform UK party, potentially undermining Labour's chances in a seat it secured with just over half the vote in the 2024 general election.
In an attempt to defuse the situation, Keir Starmer addressed the issue on Monday. He praised Burnham for "doing a great job" as mayor but defended the NEC officers' decision. Starmer stated that the rationale was to avoid triggering a costly mayoral election in Greater Manchester, which would require Burnham to resign his current post. "Resources, whether that's money or people, need to be focused on the elections that we must have, not elections that we don't have to have," the Prime Minister explained.
Campaign Chaos and Candidate Speculation
As the political battle for Gorton and Denton begins in earnest, the campaign has already seen moments of farce. Reform UK faced ridicule from rival MPs after one of its parliamentarians, Lee Anderson, posted a picture on social media of himself campaigning in the wrong constituency. He was photographed outside a hotel in the neighbouring Ashton-under-Lyne seat.
Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner quipped to the Daily Mirror: "Farage's Reform can't even find the Gorton and Denton constituency on a map. Perhaps it's because they're too busy filling their party full of former Tories who failed the country."
Meanwhile, the process to select a Labour candidate continues at pace, with interviews held on Tuesday and a final selection expected by Saturday. Bev Craig, the Labour leader of Manchester City Council, has ruled herself out of contention. However, according to local radio reports, Eamonn O'Brien, the leader of Bury Council, has submitted an application to be considered.
Green Party Sees Opportunity
Labour is preparing to face not only a determined campaign from Reform UK but also a re-energised Green Party. Green officials believe that Burnham's exclusion from the race presents a genuine opportunity for them to make a significant impact. While local party members have yet to finalise their candidate, Hannah Spencer, the leader of the Green group on Trafford Council, is considered a likely contender.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed addressed the critics on Tuesday, acknowledging that they were "entitled to their view." He emphasised, however, that NEC officers had voted "overwhelmingly" in favour of the decision to block Burnham's candidacy, underscoring the deep divisions within the party as it navigates this contentious byelection.
