Andy Burnham latest: Labour committee urged not to block Manchester mayor’s Westminster comeback bid

Mr Burnham’s supporters have already warned the party not to use the NEC to block him, saying it would be “outrageous” and show that “nasty factionalism” was more important than beating Reform UK in the seat.

Sir Sadiq Khan, mayor of London, and deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell are among those calling for local members to be allowed to decide who represents them in the by-election fight against Nigel Farage’s party and the Greens.

Sir Sadiq said Labour needs “all the talent playing for them” and committed to campaigning for Mr Burnham if he was selected. Labour MPs said Mr Burnham was their “best hope” to retain the seat, with Ian Byrne MP saying the party’s hierarchy “should be begging Andy Burnham to stand”.

Watch: ‘Let Burnham choose whether to stand in by-election,’ says Labour deputy’Let Burnham choose whether to stand in by-election’, says Labour deputyTara Cobham24 January 2026 23:00

City-wide by-election would be triggered in Manchester if Burnham elected as MPIf elected as an MP, Andy Burnham would be legally required to stand down as mayor of Greater Manchester, triggering a city-wide by-election.

In his letter to the NEC, he said he would “give my all” in any mayoral by-election, adding he was “confident” Labour could win.

Tara Cobham24 January 2026 22:00

Analysis: Could Keir Starmer survive an Andy Burnham leadership challenge?New year, new Keir. At least, that was the plan.

The prime minister started 2026 with a “promise of renewal” and a vow the UK would turn a corner after a dismal first full year in power. In a video released on New Year’s Day, he pledged to bring down living costs and get Britain “back on track”, in an attempt to rescue his relationship with disillusioned voters and his own disgruntled MPs.

Well, just over three weeks into the new year, it’s fair to say Sir Keir Starmer hasn’t started as he’d hoped. While the prime minister’s allies might claim his attention has been diverted by the ongoing international crises over Venezuela and Greenland, this year has started much like last year ended.

Kate Devlin and David Maddox report:

Could Keir Starmer survive an Andy Burnham leadership challenge?Despite the prime minister’s efforts to improve relations with his backbenchers, speculation about his future refuses to die down. With Andy Burnham confirming he is seeking to return to Westminster, can Sir Keir cling on to power? Kate Devlin and David Maddox report

Tara Cobham24 January 2026 21:00

Labour MP goes public against BurnhamWhitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:

A Labour MP has gone public against Andy Burnham’s Westminster comeback bid.

In a post on X on Saturday evening, Joani Reid MP said: “The Gorton and Denton selection process has become an energy-sapping distraction, which is why many of us would probably have preferred Andy Burnham to stay out of it.

“He’s not even halfway through his term as Mayor, and frankly Mayor of Manchester is a bigger job than being a backbench MP. So either he’s seeking a quieter life, or he’s on manoeuvres. If it’s the latter, it’s the last thing we need in the run-up to the May elections.”

Tara Cobham24 January 2026 20:30

Trump climb down ‘doesn’t overshadow offence of crass comments’, ex-defence minister saysWhitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:

Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood told the Independent: “It’s for the American people to elect their president – but when he insults both Britain and our military we have every right to speak out.

“That anger has been heard in the White House – given Trump has never before climbed down so fast.

“This does not however, overshadow the offence and ignorance of making these crass comments in the first place.”

Tara Cobham24 January 2026 20:00

Your Party MP Zarah Sultana says that Gorton and Denton deserve ‘genuinely socialist MP’Zarah Sultana, Your Party MP for Coventry South, has criticised Andy Burnham, saying that Gorton and Denton deserves a “genuinely socialist MP”.

Writing on X ahead of Mr Burnham’s announcement of his bid to take part in the by-election, Ms Sultana said: “Andy Burnham played a key role in privatising our NHS while serving as health secretary.

“Andy Burnham voted for the 2003 Iraq war…Andy Burnham was a member of Labour Friends of Israel.”

Holly Bancroft24 January 2026 19:30

Mainstream Labour group launch petition against ‘stitch-up’ against BurnhamWhitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:

The Mainstream Labour group have launched a petition against a “stitch-up” against Andy Burnham over the Gorton and Denton by-election.

It reads: “Labour can win in the Gorton and Denton by-election if we lead with our values and allow a fair, democratic and open selection for our candidate.

“Labour is at its most powerful when we draw upon the strengths, talents and ideas of our entire movement.

“That’s how we deliver real change and transform the country.

“A stitch-up from the top would undermine Labour’s credibility with the public and send the wrong message to the dedicated members of our party.

“And it could cost the Labour Party the Gorton and Denton by-election.”

Tara Cobham24 January 2026 19:05

‘A president who disrespects allies risks them not being there,’ ex-defence secretary saysWhitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:

Former defence secretary Grant Shapps told the Independent he was “relieved that President Trump has finally acknowledged the sacrifice of British troops in Afghanistan, who fought and died alongside the US after 9/11 – the only time NATO’s Article 5 has ever been invoked.

“But a president who repeatedly disrespects allies risks them not being there when it matters in the future.”

Former defence secretary Sir Grant Shapps (PA Archive)Tara Cobham24 January 2026 18:54

Labour minister says it should be for local members to decide on Burnham candidacyMiatta Fahnbulleh, Labour MP for Peckham and minister for devolution, faith and communities, has said Andy Burnham should not be blocked from running in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Speaking to Labour List ahead of Mr Burnham announcing his decision, she said: “If he does put his hat in his ring, then it should be for local members to decide if he’s the best candidate to win that by-election.

“I’ve worked with Andy both in this job and in other jobs, he has been a brilliant mayor of Greater Manchester, a city region that is overseeing the highest productivity growth – outperforming the national average.

“I think we have a fight on our hands as a government to both change the country and to beat Reform and we should have our best players in the team”.

She added that “stitch ups are not the thing that the Labour party should be doing”, saying it should be for “local members to decide”.

Holly Bancroft24 January 2026 18:34

‘Game on’: Reaction to Andy Burnham’s bid to become MPClive Lewis, Labour MP for Norwich South, has reacted to the news that mayor of Greater Manchester is making a bid to become Labour’s by-election candidate in the Gorton and Denton, writing simply: “Game on”.

In a letter to the national executive committee seeking permission to enter the selection process, Mr Burnham said he would run “a hopeful and unifying campaign with broad appeal to votes, focusing on the positivity around what we have achieved, whilst at the same time being honest about the alienation people feel from politics”.

Holly Bancroft24 January 2026 18:24