Secret Labour letter condemns Starmer’s Andy Burnham ‘stitch-up’ | UK | News

Labor MPs are in open rebellion against Sir Keir Starmer, who oversaw a “seam” preventing Andy Burnham from returning to parliament, The Telegraph reports.

Loyalists of the ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) voted on Sunday to block the Mayor of Greater Manchester from standing in the upcoming by-election, preventing him from becoming an MP and potentially challenging the Prime Minister’s leadership.

Sir Keir’s allies have claimed they do not want Mr Burnham to run for the seat of Gorton and Denton because it would lead to a mayoral race that Reform could win.

Backbenchers demand U-turn as civil war breaks out

However, this move led to a civil war, with angry bigots demanding another comeback from the Prime Minister.

It was described as “utterly outrageous”, “disgusting”, “a huge mistake” and “incredibly disappointing” by Labor MPs, many of whom made their anger public.

A letter circulated in the backbenches claimed that the decision amounted to “a small group of people at the top of London being stared at from a distance”.

It appears that former deputy prime minister and leading figure on the left wing of the party, Angela Rayner, also thinks the decision was a mistake.

Mr Burnham said he was disappointed and suggested the ban would damage Labour’s electoral chances.

He also criticized the NEC for announcing the result to journalists before him, adding: “You would think over 30 years of service would mean something but unfortunately it doesn’t.”

Rebels collect signatures to force rethink

But while Mr Burnham himself appeared to accept the decision on Sunday night, supporting Labor MPs were plotting to force the Prime Minister to reconsider.

Rebels are collecting signatures for a letter demanding a full meeting of the NEC to “reconsider” the decision, and dozens of MPs are expected to add their names.

The letter warned that losing the by-election would be “unimaginable… obstruction” [Mr Burnham] Even presenting its case to local members risks sending the message that the party does not respect devolution.”

He added: “There is a risk of telling our local members that we do not trust them to make the important decision about who will fight best in this election and who will serve as the next MP…

“Denying our local members the chance to exercise their genuine choice and democratic voice only reinforces the idea that politics is something remotely concocted by a small group of people at the top of London.”

The offer was immediately rejected by Number 10. Asked whether the NEC might reconsider, one of Starmer’s allies told The Telegraph: “No. It’s over.”

Decision puts Prime Minister’s credibility on by-election results

Both Sir Keir and Mr Burnham are expected to speak on Monday; The Prime Minister will talk about the cost of living and the Mayor of Manchester will attend a think tank panel on the UK’s unemployment crisis.

While in theory the move puts Sir Keir in greater protection as only MPs can become Labor leaders and Mr Burnham is now outside the House of Commons, critics argued it exposed the weakness of his current position.

The move also puts Sir Keir’s credibility on the outcome of the Gorton by-election. If Reform or the Green Party win the seat, the Prime Minister is likely to face widespread criticism for blocking Mr Burnham, who is popular in the area.

Labor MP Karl Turner, who is on the party’s centrist wing, told Times Radio: “There will be a lot of bloodshed in the Parliamentary Labor Party as a result of this decision.”

Corbyn allies predict PM’s downfall

Labor MP John McDonnell, Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow chancellor, said: “Message to Keir: Do not underestimate the depth of anger people will feel about this disgusting decision.

“If you think this makes you stronger, I tell you it will only hasten your death. You could have shown generous leadership, but instead it is cowardice.”

Jon Trickett, another Labor MP on Mr Corbyn’s front bench, said: “The decision to prevent members from making a full choice of available candidates reveals the weakness and lack of trust in Downing Street.”

Left-wing Labor MP Andy McDonald said: “This is absolutely outrageous. Members should decide who gets to stand in this by-election.”

“I fear the NEC and the control freaks have made a disastrous mistake and have grossly miscalculated the damage this will cause.”

Veteran Labor MP Diane Abbott, now an independent, spoke about the possibility of Sir Keir being removed from 10th place, saying: “Results in May [at the local elections] “If we are as bad as we all think we are, a rival will emerge from somewhere and Keir Starmer will be in a very difficult situation.”

Ministers divided over controversial decision

Others in the government ranks acknowledged this privately. One minister told The Telegraph: “This is a bad call from the NEC. It makes the Prime Minister look weak and factional and misses his chance to unite.”

Mr Burnham, who will continue as Mayor of Manchester, is surrounded by high-profile allies.

Labor deputy leader Lucy Powell was the only person on the 10-person NEC panel to vote for Mr Burnham to run.

In the vote to block it, Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood, who also chairs the NEC, abstained due to the need to oversee the entire committee.

Ms Rayner is understood to regard the decision as a “seam” and believes she can capitalize on it if Reform wins the by-election.

But the move is likely to strengthen his hand in any leadership contest by making him the undisputed choice of the party’s Left.

Streeting condemns briefings but stops short of backing Burnham

Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary and a possible challenger from the Labor Right, criticized the “disgraceful” briefings for Mr Burnham ahead of the NEC decision but stopped short of supporting his candidacy.

It remains unclear how widespread Sunday’s anger and dissatisfaction will spread among the moderate wing of the party.

Some Cabinet ministers supported the move, with one telling The Telegraph: “If [Mr Burnham] If we had a candidate it would be a circus.

“The people want us to focus on running the country and reducing the cost of living. They don’t want endless drama.”

Sir Keir’s allies had argued before the 11am meeting of the NEC panel – which lasted just an hour before deciding not to give the Mayor of Manchester special dispensation to take the House of Commons seat – that allowing Mr Burnham to stand would help Reformation.