Fifty Labour MPs sign letter objecting to Andy Burnham decision

Nearly 50 Labor MPs have signed a letter objecting to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s decision to block him from standing as a candidate in the upcoming parliamentary by-elections, BBC News has learned.

They have written to Sir Keir Starmer to warn that the decision is a “real gift” to Reform UK, as polling suggests Burnham may be Labour’s “best chance of winning” the vacant seat of Gorton and Denton.

The signatories said there was “no legitimate reason” to block Burnham and asked Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) to “reconsider”.

Defending the move, Sir Keir said allowing Burnham to run for the seat would divert Labor resources away from other important elections.

“Resources, whether money or people, need to be focused on the choices we have to make, not the choices we don’t have to make,” he previously said.

“And that was the basis for the NEC decision.”

The NEC, which includes Sir Keir, said blocking Burham would “prevent an unnecessary mayoral election” to replace him if he is successful in the by-election.

The previous mayoral election in Greater Manchester cost taxpayers around £4.7 million.

Burnham is seen as a potential leadership rival to Sir Keir but will have to return to Parliament to mount the challenge.

The letter was addressed to Sir Keir, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who serves as chair of the NEC, and Labor Party General Secretary Hollie Ridley.

The decision to block Burnham was said to have caused “a huge amount of concern and anger” among Parliamentary Labor colleagues and party members across the country.

Around half a dozen Labor Party members also signed the letter, according to information provided to the BBC.

NEC members voted on Sunday morning to deny Burnham permission to enter the competition.

NEC sources told the BBC that eight out of 10 members voted to block Burnham’s candidacy.

Only Labor deputy leader Lucy Powell supported his bid to stand in the by-election, while Mahmood abstained.

Burnham declined to comment when asked for a response to the NEC’s decision.

“I said what I had to say and got back to work. I’m completely focused on my job as mayor of Manchester,” he told the BBC.

Asked if he thought Sir Keir was afraid of him, Burham stood his ground.

“I will not comment further,” he said.

He has previously said he was “disappointed” by the move to block him and lashed out at Labor over how it was made public.

Labor won Gorton and Denton in 2024 with a majority of 13,000.

Reform UK and the Greens are expected to face greater challenges this time.

Speaking to BBC Newsnight, former Labor minister Harriet Harman said her parliamentary colleagues should focus on winning the by-election rather than debating the decision to block Burnham.

Burnham was elected mayor of Greater Manchester in May 2024.

His term of office is until May 2028.

The Gorton and Denton by-election is expected to be held on February 26.