Labour MPs Urged to Unite Ahead of Manchester By-Election Amid Burnham Fallout
The Prime Minister has insisted that the "battle of our times" is between Labour and Reform UK, as he defended the controversial decision to block Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from standing in an upcoming by-election. Labour MPs have been urged to set aside internal divisions and unite ahead of the crucial contest in Manchester, scheduled for February 26th.
Internal Tensions and Calls for Unity
At a gathering of Labour's backbench MPs on Monday night, Attorney General Lord Hermer – a close ally of the Prime Minister – urged colleagues not to focus on internal party politics but to come together ahead of the by-election. The meeting followed an outcry, largely from MPs on Labour's left and trade unions, over the decision to prevent Mr Burnham from standing in Gorton and Denton.
Lord Hermer sought to rally MPs by listing the Prime Minister's recent achievements as a basis for uniting around his leadership. These included Sir Keir Starmer's defence of British troops following remarks by Donald Trump and his performance at Prime Minister's Questions last Wednesday.
The senior minister stated: "I do not for one minute underestimate the political challenge we face, or how many people do not trust politicians and will not do so until they can at least feel we are making a difference. But nor do I underestimate this party, and my passionate belief that as our policies take hold, we will change this country for the better and for the long-term."
Rationale Behind the Blocking Decision
The decision to block Mr Burnham was made by a 10-strong group from Labour's ruling National Executive Committee, including the Prime Minister, at a meeting on Sunday. Senior Labour figures have insisted the move was taken due to concerns about the costs of holding a new mayoral race in Greater Manchester and worries that Reform UK might win the mayoralty if Mr Burnham vacated the position.
Speaking to broadcasters at a health centre in Wimbledon, Sir Keir Starmer explained: "Andy Burnham's doing a great job as the Mayor of Manchester, but having an election for the Mayor of Manchester when it's not necessary would divert our resources away from the elections that we must have, that we must fight and win. 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. And that was the basis of the NEC decision."
Mixed Reactions and Political Ramifications
Reactions among Labour MPs leaving Monday's Parliamentary Labour Party meeting were mixed. Some were supportive of the unity message, with one describing Lord Hermer's speech as a "tour de force" and claiming the mood was good-humoured, though acknowledging that Mr Burnham's supporters would be disappointed.
Others remained defiant, with one telling the Press Association: "Defeat in Gorton and Denton in February means it's all over for Keir after May's elections if they go as expected. Either No 10 are just clueless at political management – or those around Keir are manoeuvring to get him out of the way and Streeting in as soon as possible."
Labour's chair, Anna Turley, is understood to have been questioned during the PLP meeting about the impact that blocking Mr Burnham would have on Labour's fortunes at the by-election.
External Political Developments
Meanwhile, Nigel Farage announced that Reform UK will reveal its candidate for the by-election on Tuesday. He told a press conference in central London that his party's chances are "considerably better" than before Labour blocked Mr Burnham from standing.
The Greater Manchester mayor has expressed disappointment with the decision, stating he was "concerned about its potential impact on the important elections ahead of us." In a statement on social media, he insisted he would "return with full focus" to his mayoral duties and urged unity in the face of "the divisive politics of Reform."
Broader Leadership Context
Speculation continues about the prospect of Sir Keir facing a leadership challenge if Labour performs poorly in May's local and devolved parliamentary elections. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who was present with the Prime Minister during Monday's visit to south-west London, was forced in November to deny suggestions he was hoping to unseat Sir Keir after finding himself the target of a Labour briefing war over his perceived ambitions.
The by-election in Gorton and Denton is being held after former MP Andrew Gwynne stood down for health reasons. The process was officially triggered by MPs on Monday, setting the stage for a contest that has already exposed significant tensions within the Labour Party while highlighting the growing challenge from Reform UK.
