Andrew Gwynne ‘to step down as MP’ with Andy Burnham tipped to stand in by-election
A former Labor minister whose whip was removed as a result of offensive WhatsApp messages is reportedly expected to resign as an MP in the coming days, paving the way for leadership rival Andy Burnham.
Senior Labor figures revealed Times They are awaiting a statement from Gorton and Denton MP Andrew Gwynne, who is away from Parliament on sick leave.
Mr Burnham is said to be seeking a return to the House of Commons to challenge Sir Keir Starmer’s position, claiming he could stand in a by-election in the North West Gorton and Denton constituency if Mr Gwynne resigns.
The MP has previously denied any intention of vacating the seat any time soon, telling The Times in September last year: “The road to Number 10 will not be through Gorton and Denton.”
The move creates the potential for Mr Burnham to return to Parliament; Just as the Prime Minister is reaching his lowest ever level with the disastrous council in England and May elections in Scotland and Wales.
Independent He contacted Mr Gwynne and Mr Burnham.
Mr Gwynne was sacked as health minister and suspended from the Labor Party in February last year over comments made in a WhatsApp group.
He reportedly made sexist comments about Angela Rayner, racist remarks about Labor MP Diane Abbott and joked about the death of an elderly woman in a closed group chat with Manchester-based Labor figures.
He publicly apologized at the time and said he regretted the “misjudged” remarks.
He wrote of
Meanwhile, there has been widespread speculation in recent months about the leadership ambitions of the mayor of Greater Manchester.
Mr Burnham was the focus of such rumors at the Labor Party conference in September but has since criticized reports about his leadership bid.
Responding to the news in December, he wrote of X: “Quite a lot of nonsense in the papers today. Reminds me of why I left Westminster!”
Any by-elections are likely to coincide with elections in May.
This will give Labor the chance to defend the seat, and potentially the Greater Manchester mayoralty, against Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, which is currently sitting high in nationwide opinion polls. Mr Farage’s team, which does not have the background of larger parties, is expected to expand its fight for votes in Scottish, Welsh and English councils on May 7.
But the increased timing raises the possibility that Mr Burnham could become an MP at a time when Starmer is suffering the most significant blow in office; This is a prerequisite for getting a high-level job.
It is feared that the Labor Party may face extinction in some areas in the upcoming local elections, which could be an important moment in Starmer’s term as prime minister.
Earlier this month Professor Sir John Curtice, one of Britain’s leading pollsters, said Mr Burnham represented Labour’s best hope of keeping Nigel Farage out of the 10th place.
Sir John said Independent He believes only Mr Burnham has the support within the Labor Party and is appealing to the wider electorate to be an effective alternative to Sir Keir, who he says “doesn’t have the skills for Downing Street”.
A YouGov poll last month also showed him clear ahead of former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and health secretary Wes Streeting among the predicted candidates to replace Sir Keir.
This is breaking news. More to follow…
