Andy Burnham’s backers are understood to be lobbying Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to hold an extended leadership election, giving him time to return to parliament and win a byelection. However, a member of the party’s ruling body has stated that the rules governing leadership contests should not be altered to accommodate the Greater Manchester mayor.
Leadership Rules Under Scrutiny
As health secretary Wes Streeting prepares to launch a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer on Thursday, allies of Burnham have warned against a “coronation” for Streeting as the next prime minister. Burnham’s supporters are lobbying the NEC for a nomination period long enough for him to secure a byelection victory, potentially stretching the contest to about three months and prolonging internal party turmoil.
Luke Akehurst, the Labour MP for North Durham and a staunch Starmer supporter, said he did not believe it was “physically possible for Andy Burnham to participate” if a leadership contest began imminently. Speaking to Sky News, Akehurst noted that prime ministers must be MPs or members of the House of Lords, a scenario last seen in 1963. “If a contest started right now, I just don’t see how it’s physically possible for Andy Burnham to participate,” he said. “[If we change the rules] we could have a cast of thousands. How about a byelection for David Miliband or a byelection for Ed Balls? I don’t think the Labour party’s rules and procedures are there to be tweaked, to suit one particular person.”
NEC’s Previous Block on Burnham
The NEC previously blocked Burnham’s return to parliament in January to stave off a potential leadership challenge. The party’s “officers’ group”, including the prime minister, voted overwhelmingly to reject Burnham’s request to seek selection for the Gorton and Denton byelection, sparking widespread anger among Labour MPs and union backers.
Angela Rayner, who has been cleared by HMRC of deliberate wrongdoing over her tax affairs, said Burnham should not have been prevented from re-entering parliament. “If somebody wants to come and help, and be part of the future that we can deliver, then absolutely we shouldn’t be blocking people,” she said. “We cannot afford to be factional about this. We cannot afford to have egos.” Asked if she had done a deal with Burnham to support his bid for No 10, she replied: “I’m not doing deals.”
NEC’s Discretion and Internal Dynamics
Another NEC member, Abdi Duale, told a post-election webinar that Labour officials were “backing away” from blocking Burnham’s return. He noted that the leader’s influence over the NEC is diminished after poor election results, and that old loyalties are being reassessed. The NEC has discretion over leadership contests, as rules can be “varied by the consent of the NEC”.
Akehurst said he would back Starmer in any contest and expressed concern that a new leader could be “significantly to the left of Keir Starmer, me or Wes Streeting”. He told LBC: “I don’t think the response to Reform sweeping areas like mine in County Durham is to move leftwards. There’s still time to stop this and get behind the PM, and focus on delivery. The country and party don’t need the car crash of a leadership election.”
Economic Context
Chancellor Rachel Reeves warned that a leadership battle could plunge the UK “into chaos” and threaten economic recovery. Despite the economic damage caused by the Iran war, the UK economy grew by 0.6% in the first quarter of 2026, driven by a 0.8% boost in services. In March alone, the economy grew by 0.3%. The UK currently has the largest GDP growth among G7 nations for Q1 2026. Reeves said the numbers show the government has “the right economic plan” and that “the economy is starting to bear fruit”.
