Labour’s NEC blocks Andy Burnham from standing as an MP, citing the cost of a mayoral election and risks to party control in Greater Manchester.
LONDON: The UK’s ruling Labour party has blocked Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from standing as a candidate in an upcoming parliamentary by-election.
The decision by a subgroup of Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is likely to trigger outrage from supporters of the former cabinet minister.
Burnham is seen by some as a potential future rival to Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the party’s leadership.
Sources close to the NEC said a “very clear majority” opposed his bid due to concerns about the cost of an election to replace him as mayor.
The Labour party later stated the move was to avoid an “unnecessary” mayoral election in Manchester.
“Andy Burnham is doing a great job as mayor of Greater Manchester,” the party said.
“We believe it is in the best interests of the party to avoid an unnecessary mayoral election which would use substantial amounts of taxpayers’ money.”
The party added that resources were better spent tackling the cost of living crisis.
Burnham had announced his desire to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election on social media platform X.
The seat was comfortably won by former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne in the 2024 general election.
Gwynne stood down on Friday, triggering the by-election.
Labour now faces a tough fight to retain the seat amid a collapse in its polling numbers.
The party is expected to compete closely with the anti-immigrant Reform UK and the Green Party.
