‘Labour now is just the Tories in red’: Manchester voters’ fury over decision to block Burnham from by-election
The leadership struggle was over before it even began. friday old Labor MP and “king of the north” Andy Burnham looked set to return to Westminster after eight years as mayor of Greater Manchester.
The only thing standing in his way was his own party. Labour’s national executive committee (NEC) had made its decision at midday on Saturday as many backed the popular mayor to win a tough by-election triggered by the resignation of Andrew Gwynne. Mr. Burnham would not run.
On Monday morning, Mr. Burnham looked relaxed as he joked about a quiet weekend. At the same time, potential leadership challenger Sir Keir Starmer was trying to explain himself to the press by saying that the NEC’s decision to block Mr Burnham was more about protecting Labor Party resources than protecting himself.
But voters in Manchester could not hide their anger. Since May 2017, when Mr Burnham was first elected mayor, the city region has become the fastest-growing region in England, with its economy growing by 28 per cent since 2015. Many people in the area credit Mr Burnham’s achievements in establishing the integrated travel network known as the “Bee network”. Also far from his memories are the times when he spoke out against the government’s quarantine measures during the pandemic.
some told Independent While they want Mr Burnham to be in Manchester, they believe he could be the right man for the top job.
But it has its critics, too. Others said they were disappointed with the Labor Party as a whole, branding them “Red Conservatives”.
‘I felt abandoned’
Mr Owens, who did not give his name, said in Manchester city centre: Independent He “loves” Mr Burnham but would feel “abandoned” if he were elected MP.
“I love Andy Burnham,” he said. “I think Manchester would be worse off without him, so I hope he stays. I know everyone has to do what’s best for themselves but he always said he’d do what’s best for Manchester, so it’s either him or Manchester. It’s a tough situation.”
He added that he was “not happy” that Mr Burnham’s candidacy had been blocked, but believed a mayoral election could open the door to Reformation in Greater Manchester.
“If he runs for MP and Greater Manchester is left with a new mayor, I think Reform will give them a good stick to beat us with,” he said.
“This is a decision for Manchester to make, but there are procedures and you can’t throw them away just because someone wants to be an MP.”
‘He has more Labor than anyone else in government’
A couple in Deansgate, who asked not to be named, said they lived in Stockport and wished Mr Burnham had been given the opportunity to go to the premiership.
“He’s more of a Labor man than any of them out there,” said one of them. “It’s for the people.”
They said they were disappointed with the NEC’s decision to block his candidacy; They said this decision “should be Manchester’s.”
‘I hope they change their minds’
Anna, who did not give her surname, said she had lived in Manchester for nearly 50 years and hoped the NEC could “change their minds”.
“I hope he gets elected as soon as possible,” he said. “I watch him and follow his votes.
“He’s very, very good.”
Asked whether he believed Greater Manchester residents should make the decision about Mr Burnham’s eligibility for the by-election, he said: Independent he thinks it should be down to “more people” rather than just the NEC.
‘Starmer is afraid of him’
Gorton may have made headlines over the weekend, but on Monday afternoon its quiet high street gave no sign of its status as a political battleground.
A woman who did not give her name said the following while waiting for the bus: Independent He thought Mr Burnham had done “a lot” for Manchester but felt he would not hesitate to give him the best job.
“I don’t think it should be blocked,” he said. “He is better than Starmer.
“He is all for the north and fair.”
He accused Sir Keir of blocking his candidacy because he was “scared” but said he ultimately believed it was a bad decision for Labour.
“I think if we had more Burnhams people would vote Labour.”
‘Starmer runs the party like a dictatorship’
Another man described himself as a former Labor voter who now votes for the Greens.
He said he felt Sir Keir was running Labor like a “dictatorship” and criticized him for not allowing Burnham to stand.
“This should have been our decision, we live here,” he said. “But Labor is now just the Tories in red. That’s why I wouldn’t vote for it anyway.”
‘The worst thing that could happen to Manchester’
While waiting for her bus, another woman said she would not support Mr Burnham in the by-election but would not support him as mayor either.
“It’s the worst thing to happen to Manchester,” Andy Burnham said. “Buses are worse than ever.”
He said he would prefer Andrew Gwynne not to resign, describing him as a “good constituency MP”.
“Andrew Gwynne wasn’t afraid to go up against the big boys,” he said. “But Andy Burnham is drinking with the big boys.”
