Andy Burnham has declared his intention to run in the Gorton and Denton by-election, a move that is causing ripples in Westminster. The Mayor of Greater Manchester has sought approval from Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to vie for selection following the announcement by current MP Andrew Gwynne that he is stepping down due to health reasons. Gwynne had previously faced disciplinary action from the Labour Party over offensive messages in a WhatsApp group.
Support for Burnham’s return to Westminster has been apparent, with cabinet ministers backing his candidacy. However, there are reports that supporters of Keir Starmer are mobilizing to block his selection. Burnham emphasized in his letter to the NEC that his aim is to support the UK government from within Parliament, not oppose it.
Stressing the importance of defending the values of Manchester, Burnham highlighted the need to unite and protect the city’s heritage of equality. He expressed his commitment to leading the fight through the by-election, focusing on fostering unity and positivity while addressing the disconnect people feel from politics.
Acknowledging the internal process, Burnham refrained from further comments on his candidacy and expressed gratitude for Andrew Gwynne’s service to the area. The announcement received support from Ed Miliband, who praised Burnham’s potential contribution in Parliament.
Calls for allowing Burnham to stand as an MP were also made by Sadiq Khan, who offered to campaign for him. Concerns were raised about potential opposition to Burnham’s candidacy, with some fearing it could impact the Prime Minister’s leadership or the Greater Manchester mayoralty.
Amid criticisms of anonymous briefings against Burnham, calls for a change in culture were voiced to ensure a fair and respectful process. However, there were apprehensions that Burnham’s departure as mayor could lead to electoral gains for Reform in Greater Manchester, as indicated by recent polling data.
The decision on Burnham’s candidacy is awaited, with various voices emphasizing the importance of unity and strategic decision-making to secure victory in the upcoming by-election.