Angela Rayner is poised to publicly endorse Andy Burnham's campaign to return to the House of Commons this Saturday, in a move that could intensify internal Labour Party tensions. The former deputy prime minister will declare her support for the Manchester mayor during Labour's North West regional conference, according to reports emerging on Friday evening.
North-South Divide Over Candidate Selection
The question of where Mr Burnham might stand in the impending by-election has rapidly evolved into what observers describe as a North-South battle within the party. Ms Rayner's intervention is therefore viewed as potentially explosive, given her significant influence and northern roots.
However, time is of the essence for the former health secretary. The Labour Party has established a strict deadline for prospective candidates to seek approval from the National Executive Committee (NEC), with applications required by 5pm on Saturday and final submissions due by midnight on Sunday.
Warnings Against 'London Stitch-Up'
Sir Keir Starmer has received a clear warning from Labour's Jo White, who leads a group of 43 Red Wall MPs. She cautioned against any perceived 'London stitch-up' designed to prevent Mr Burnham from contesting the Gorton and Denton seat in Greater Manchester. The constituency became vacant on Thursday following the resignation of disgraced former minister Andrew Gwynne.
'Let the North decide who their Labour candidate should be. A London stitch-up will be a disaster for Labour,' Ms White declared in a social media post on Friday, directly challenging potential interference from party headquarters.
One senior Labour figure characterised the emerging conflict as 'the Andy v Keir show,' predicting that Sir Keir's influential chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, would attempt to block Mr Burnham when the NEC compiles its longlist of candidates.
Trade Union Criticism and Democratic Concerns
Adding to the pressure on the leadership, Andrea Egan, the newly appointed Unison general secretary, criticised what she termed 'control-freakery' within the party. In her own social media statement, she emphasised that 'all trade unionists expect a democratic process for Gorton & Denton in which local party members decide who they want to represent them.'
Mr Burnham maintained his silence throughout Friday but is scheduled to address questions at Saturday's conference. Previously, he urged that 'people shouldn't rush to conclusions' before Mr Gwynne's official departure was confirmed.
Complicated Path to Candidacy
Andrew Gwynne announced he was vacating his seat this week, citing health reasons. He had been suspended from the Labour Party last February following the discovery of offensive WhatsApp messages.
For Mr Burnham, the path to becoming the Labour candidate involves navigating several substantial hurdles. These include resigning from his current role as Mayor of Greater Manchester, securing approval from the NEC, and confronting a strengthened challenge from Reform UK.
Electoral Landscape and Political Threats
Although Labour secured the seat with 51% of the vote in the 2024 general election, it has since transformed into a precarious three-way marginal constituency. Reform UK has pledged to 'throw everything' at capturing the seat, while Green Party leader Zack Polanski is reportedly considering standing, a development that could fracture the Left-wing vote.
On Friday, health minister Stephen Kinnock offered a thinly-veiled suggestion that Mr Burnham should remain in his mayoral position, praising the work he is doing. Meanwhile, deputy prime minister David Lammy warned that the party could ill-afford another leadership contest, as it would inevitably trigger a general election.
Andy Burnham, who has served as Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, was previously the MP for Leigh from 2001 to 2017. He has contested the Labour leadership on two separate occasions, cementing his status as a significant figure within the party's northern power base.
