Starmer's Dilemma: To Block or Not to Block Andy Burnham's Parliamentary Return
Keir Starmer finds himself in a tricky situation as he faces pressure not to block Andy Burnham's potential return to Parliament. The former Labour MP for Leigh, who served from 2001 to 2017, is now reportedly considering a run for a by-election in the Greater Manchester seat of Gorton and Denton. This move has sparked intense debate within the Labour Party, with allies of Starmer and Burnham's supporters weighing in.
The Prime Minister's allies have been attempting to prevent Burnham's return, fearing he could challenge Starmer's leadership. However, a group of Labour MPs and the leader of Britain's largest union, Unison, have urged the party to ensure a democratic process and avoid any attempts to manipulate the selection. The timeline for candidates is tight, with applications due by Sunday, and a candidate chosen within a week.
Burnham has not officially confirmed his intentions, but he has made his ambitions clear. During the Labour Party's conference last year, he revealed that many MPs had urged him to run for the Labour leadership, causing a stir within the party's leadership. If Burnham were to run, he would have to step down as Mayor of Greater Manchester, a role he has held with great success. Bev Craig, the leader of Manchester City Council, is also in the running, though she is believed to be favored by Starmer's allies.
Reports suggest Burnham might try to secure a high-profile figure to run as the Labour candidate for Greater Manchester mayor, such as the renowned footballer Gary Neville, if he were to resign to seek a Westminster seat. The by-election is expected to be highly competitive, with Zack Polanski, the Green Party leader, and George Galloway, the independent former MP and Workers' Party leader, also considering their options. Reform UK could also be a strong contender, with potential candidates like policy chief Zia Yusuf or former Tory MP Jonathan Gullis.
The contest was triggered by the resignation of independent MP Andrew Gwynne on medical grounds, leading to speculation that Burnham could be in Parliament in time to challenge Starmer if the May local elections are unfavorable for Labour. Starmer's allies have been actively trying to prevent Burnham's return, with some predicting it would be impossible due to the number of Starmer loyalists on the national executive committee. However, Andrea Egan, the new general secretary of Unison, criticized this 'control-freakery' and emphasized the importance of a democratic process.
Jo White, a prominent MP and leader of Labour's 'red wall' group, echoed this sentiment, advocating for local party members' decision-making power. Some northern backbenchers support Burnham's return, viewing it as a sign of weakness for the PM to block him via the NEC. If other candidates like Yusuf or Polanski stand, Burnham would be the centrist option, though some believe he shouldn't challenge Starmer for leadership this year.
Despite rumors of an all-women or all-black, Asian, and minority ethnic shortlist, Stephen Kinnock, a health minister, assured that the process would be fair. He praised Burnham's work as Mayor of Greater Manchester, highlighting his talent and effectiveness. Burnham's allies suggest that blocking him would cause significant unrest among MPs, unions, and party members.
Burnham's long-standing ambition to return to Parliament and challenge for the leadership if Starmer faces a challenge is well-known. However, his options for a by-election in the north-west of England were limited. Labour won the seat under Gwynne in 2024 with a substantial majority, and the party's performance in the by-election will be crucial in shaping the political landscape.
