Andy Burnham latest: Mayor ‘disappointed’ after bid to return as Labour MP in by-election is blocked

Sir Keir Starmer has personally led calls to block Andy Burnham’s return to Westminster, according to reports.

A source from NEC said: Daily Express: “Keir was there and leading from the front. He took over the mantelpiece and even the most skeptical of Keir were impressed.

“We can’t risk by-elections in Manchester, PM argues [for mayor]and the psychodrama of the last 48 hours did not help.”

Although unusual, it would not be the first time that the mayor of a major city has become head of his own country’s government. Three US presidents have done this (Andrew Johnson, Grover Cleveland, Calvin Coolidge), and there are quite notable examples in Europe of Chancellors Willy Brandt (West Berlin graduate) and Jacques Chirac (Paris). Here, of course, we saw Boris Johnson perfecting his populist skills in London before graduating to prime minister. The question for 2026 is whether Andy Burnham can make a similar journey from the mayoral headquarters in Manchester’s Tootal Building to 10 Downing Street. The upcoming by-election in the generally safe Labor seat of Gorton, well within Burnham’s northern fiefdom, opens up at least the possibility of Burnham repeating Johnson’s success.

As you know, Burnham, who served as a minister in the Blair and Brown governments and was reborn as the mayor of Manchester, has almost become prime minister. He may now be “King in the North” and have a rating that is only marginally better than the party’s national ratings, but now he may be trying for a third time to achieve the loftier position of leader of the Labor Party, and with it the prime ministership. This was a ludicrous proposition for almost the entire period of Sir Keir Starmer’s previously unchallenged dominance, but suddenly, before last autumn’s party conference, panicked Labor appeared to be afflicted with what might be called the “Tory Disease” – the delusion and conspiracy addiction that a change of leader could solve all problems. Having been away from Westminster for most of the past decade, Burnham looked like the closest thing he had to a fresh start.

A Labor source said Andy Burnham’s claim that the media was told about the NEC’s decision before him was “categorically false”.

The mayor of Manchester previously wrote in

But a Labor source told Sky News this was “categorically not true”.

Beth Rigby shared on

Andy Burnham has hit back at those who support blocking the return route to Westminster.

Journalist Tom Baldwin, a former Labor adviser, wrote on X on Sunday evening: “I’ve always liked @AndyBurnhamGM but the prospect of him returning to Westminster has already added to the inward-looking psychodrama that is doing no one any good. And an unnecessary by-election for the Mayor of Manchester would also do long-term damage to his reputation.”

The mayor of Manchester responded in the comments: “I’m not sure losing the by-election will do us any good either, Tom.”

Andrea Egan, newly elected general secretary of Unison, Britain’s largest union, said: “I know many unionists will be very disappointed and angry that local members are not being given a say in who their candidate should be.

“No democratic organization should be run this way. Now is the time to unite our movement, not divide it.”

The TSSA union accused the NEC of blocking Mr Burnham for “factional reasons”, adding: “Labour has lost its way and needs to change course to survive.”

But Usdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas said her union accepted the decision and the conclusion that Mr Burnham’s candidacy would mean “major disruption”.

Some Labor MPs supported the NEC’s decision, prompting the party to avoid infighting and win the by-election.

Phil Brickell, who represents the Greater Manchester constituency of Bolton West, said recent speculation about Andy Burnham’s candidacy was “causing Labor to rapidly turn inward…undermining the Prime Minister’s efforts at home and abroad”.

Rugby MP John Slinger said the “swift and clear decision” meant the party could “move on from the damaging, introspective and psychodrama of last week” and “come together” behind the eventual candidate.

Keir Starmer faced a simple choice: endure the temporary embarrassment of thwarting his rival, or paralyze the government by allowing Andy Burnham to become the focus of persistent leadership speculation.

The Prime Minister chose the first option because it was in the interests of the country, the Labor Party and himself. Politicians can be cruel, hypocritical and self-serving, but sometimes they can also be right.

It does not seem brave, democratic or comradely to refuse Burnham permission to stand as the Labor candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election, but there was never any question of allowing him to stand.