Keir Starmer's Allies Launch 'Stop Andy Burnham' Drive to Prevent Mayor's Commons Comeback
Key supporters of Labour leader Keir Starmer have reportedly kicked off a coordinated campaign to block Andy Burnham, the Labour Party Mayor of Greater Manchester, from securing a comeback to parliament. This move follows the stepping down of a Manchester-area MP, which has sparked an impending by-election.
Significant Barriers in the Selection Process
Several figures on the party's powerful national executive committee (NEC) have apparently suggested it would be highly challenging for Mr. Burnham to navigate the selection procedure. This is primarily due to the sizable number of Starmer loyalists on the body who are anxious to head off any potential challenge to Starmer's leadership.
The Labour hierarchy is said to have sprung into action following the revelation of the MP's intended resignation, with officials and MPs raising concerns about the considerable expense and political risk of a resulting election for mayor in Greater Manchester.
The Mayor's Aspirations and Internal Disquiet
Andy Burnham has been open about his political ambitions. Previously, he caused anger within No 10 and among senior ministers when he stated that numerous MPs had urged him to run for the Labour leadership.
There has long been speculation that he is aiming for a seat in the Commons to potentially stand for the party leadership should a challenge to Sir Keir emerge. Nevertheless, supporters of the Mayor have warned against overstating the level of any planning, stating he is passionate about his current role and would solely return Westminster if he felt he had something to contribute.
"People want to paint him as scheming and plotting but that’s absolutely not where he is. He loves being mayor of Manchester. It would only ever be an option if felt he had something to offer," a supporter stated.
Current Climate and Poll Ratings
Against a backdrop of opinion polls suggesting Sir Keir is struggling in the polls and many MPs despondent about Labour's prospects at the forthcoming election, Andy Burnham stands out as the only prominent Labour personality with consistently positive ratings with the public.
Should Mr. Burnham decide to run, multiple hurdles remain. He would need to be approved by the NEC—where the chances are stacked against him—and then secure victory in the by-election against competition from Reform UK and pro-Gaza independents, all before any possible bid for the leadership.
Efforts to Block Burnham
Senior Labour sources have said that a "Stop Andy" campaign is already in progress, with the party's organisation being closely managed by senior aides of the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister himself said that the by-election procedure was in its "early stages" and told his MPs to stop talking about possible leadership challenges.
Andy Burnham, commenting before the MP's departure was finalised, said to journalists: "People shouldn’t rush to conclusions. I have been very focused on my role as mayor of Greater Manchester."
Financial and Political Dangers
Figures on the committee have reportedly cited not only personal animosity towards Mr. Burnham but also the prohibitive cost of a by-election for mayor in Greater Manchester. This could redirect around £500,000 in party funding from other crucial elections across the country.
"It is deeply selfish of Andy to want to run for this – costing us tens of thousands we don’t have and diverting activist resources... It is absurd beyond description and cannot be allowed," an insider claimed.
Several sources also shared fears about Reform UK potentially fill any vacancy created by Mr. Burnham, which would represent a major political win for them.
Role of the Unions and Procedural Fears
Being an elected mayor, Mr. Burnham would require the NEC's approval to run. It is also possible the body could impose an women-only shortlist to block his nomination.
However, one Burnham ally warned against presuming the NEC would automatically reject him, despite Sir Keir's team is largely believed to control it.
The unions hold a significant number of seats on the NEC. While the biggest unions are for now keeping their counsel, insiders suggested they would be opposed to anything perceived as interference from Downing Street.
The general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union said: "It would be a democratic outrage if Andy Burnham was blocked... Our union will fiercely resist any attempts to stitch up the selection. It’s vital that there is a full and open democratic procedure."
By-election Battle
The constituency in question has a considerable Labour lead. However, Reform is expected to launch a significant campaign, capitalising on its vote in one part of the constituency. Labour assesses it is on firmer ground in the more populous Greater Manchester section, though it could encounter a challenge from pro-Gaza independents.
Should Mr. Burnham return to parliament, he would need the backing of 80 Labour MPs to mount a leadership challenge, a hurdle that is far from certain given he is regarded with caution by some on the parliamentary party.
The departing MP confirmed he was resigning due to declining health, which had made it untenable for him to continue in his role. He also remains under a standards inquiry related to his membership in an inappropriate online group.
