🔗 Share this article Keir Starmer's Backers Launch 'Block Andy Burnham' Campaign to Thwart Mayor's Commons Re-entry Loyalists of Prime Minister Keir Starmer have allegedly started a coordinated initiative to prevent Andy Burnham, the Labour Party Greater Manchester Mayor, from making a comeback to the House of Commons. This action follows the stepping down of a Manchester-area MP, which has prompted an impending by-election. Major Barriers in the Selection Procedure Multiple figures on the Labour Party's powerful NEC have reportedly predicted it would be virtually impossible for Mr. Burnham to successfully pass through the selection procedure. This is primarily due to the significant presence of supporters of the Prime Minister on the committee who are anxious to head off any potential challenge to Starmer's leadership. The Labour hierarchy reportedly swung into action following the announcement of the MP's planned resignation, with party figures and MPs voicing warnings about the substantial financial cost and political risk of a subsequent election for mayor in Greater Manchester. Burnham's Ambitions and Party Concerns Andy Burnham has been open about his national ambitions. Last year, he prompted outrage in Downing Street and among cabinet ministers when he stated that many MPs had encouraged him to stand for the party leadership. There has long been speculation that he is seeking a seat in the Commons to possibly stand for the Labour leadership should a contest to Sir Keir emerge. However, allies of the Greater Manchester Mayor have warned against overstating the extent of any scheming, stating he is passionate about his job as mayor and would solely return national politics if he felt he had a meaningful contribution to make. "People want to paint him as scheming and plotting but that’s absolutely not where he is. He loves being mayor of Manchester. It would only ever be an option if felt he had something to offer," a supporter stated. Current Climate and Poll Ratings Against a backdrop of opinion polls suggesting Sir Keir is unpopular and many MPs despondent about Labour's prospects at the forthcoming election, Andy Burnham stands out as the sole prominent Labour personality with consistently positive public approval ratings. If Mr. Burnham decide to run, several hurdles remain. He would need to be selected by the NEC—where the odds are stacked against him—and then secure victory in the byelection against competition from Reform UK and independent candidates, all prior to any possible bid for the leadership. The 'Stop Andy' Campaign Senior Labour figures have said that a "Stop Andy" operation is already under way, with the party machinery being tightly controlled by key allies of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister himself commented that the byelection process was in its "initial phases" and urged his MPs to cease discussion of possible contests for the leadership. Andy Burnham, commenting before the MP's resignation was confirmed, told reporters: "People shouldn’t rush to conclusions. I have been very focused on my role as mayor of Greater Manchester." Costs and Risks Figures on the committee have allegedly pointed to not only personal opposition towards Mr. Burnham but also the prohibitive cost of a by-election for mayor in Greater Manchester. This could divert around £500,000 in campaign funds from other key electoral battles across the country. "It is deeply selfish of Andy to want to run for this – costing us tens of thousands we don’t have and diverting activist resources... It is absurd beyond description and cannot be allowed," one source said. Several sources also expressed concerns about Nigel Farage’s party attempting to fill any vacancy left by Mr. Burnham, which would represent a major political win for them. Union Influence and Democratic Concerns As a publicly elected mayor, Mr. Burnham would require the NEC's permission to stand. There is also speculation the body could impose an women-only shortlist to prevent his candidacy. However, a supporter counselled against assuming the NEC would automatically block his candidacy, despite Sir Keir's team is largely believed to dominate it. The trade unions hold a significant number of seats on the NEC. While the biggest unions are for now keeping their counsel, insiders indicated they would be uncomfortable with anything perceived as meddling from Downing Street. The leader of the Fire Brigades Union said: "It would be a democratic outrage if Andy Burnham was blocked... Our union will fiercely resist any attempts to stitch up the selection. It’s vital that there is a full and open democratic procedure." By-election Battle The constituency in question has a considerable Labour lead. However, Reform UK is expected to mount a significant campaign, building on its vote in one part of the constituency. Labour assesses it is on firmer ground in the larger Greater Manchester section, though it could face a challenge from pro-Gaza independents. If Mr. Burnham re-enter the Commons, he would need the support of 80 Labour MPs to mount a bid for the leadership, a requirement that is far from certain given he is regarded with caution by some on the backbenches. The resigning MP confirmed he was resigning due to deteriorating mental health, which had made it untenable for him to continue in his role. He also remains subject to a parliamentary standards investigation concerning his membership in an offensive online group.
Loyalists of Prime Minister Keir Starmer have allegedly started a coordinated initiative to prevent Andy Burnham, the Labour Party Greater Manchester Mayor, from making a comeback to the House of Commons. This action follows the stepping down of a Manchester-area MP, which has prompted an impending by-election. Major Barriers in the Selection Procedure Multiple figures on the Labour Party's powerful NEC have reportedly predicted it would be virtually impossible for Mr. Burnham to successfully pass through the selection procedure. This is primarily due to the significant presence of supporters of the Prime Minister on the committee who are anxious to head off any potential challenge to Starmer's leadership. The Labour hierarchy reportedly swung into action following the announcement of the MP's planned resignation, with party figures and MPs voicing warnings about the substantial financial cost and political risk of a subsequent election for mayor in Greater Manchester. Burnham's Ambitions and Party Concerns Andy Burnham has been open about his national ambitions. Last year, he prompted outrage in Downing Street and among cabinet ministers when he stated that many MPs had encouraged him to stand for the party leadership. There has long been speculation that he is seeking a seat in the Commons to possibly stand for the Labour leadership should a contest to Sir Keir emerge. However, allies of the Greater Manchester Mayor have warned against overstating the extent of any scheming, stating he is passionate about his job as mayor and would solely return national politics if he felt he had a meaningful contribution to make. "People want to paint him as scheming and plotting but that’s absolutely not where he is. He loves being mayor of Manchester. It would only ever be an option if felt he had something to offer," a supporter stated. Current Climate and Poll Ratings Against a backdrop of opinion polls suggesting Sir Keir is unpopular and many MPs despondent about Labour's prospects at the forthcoming election, Andy Burnham stands out as the sole prominent Labour personality with consistently positive public approval ratings. If Mr. Burnham decide to run, several hurdles remain. He would need to be selected by the NEC—where the odds are stacked against him—and then secure victory in the byelection against competition from Reform UK and independent candidates, all prior to any possible bid for the leadership. The 'Stop Andy' Campaign Senior Labour figures have said that a "Stop Andy" operation is already under way, with the party machinery being tightly controlled by key allies of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister himself commented that the byelection process was in its "initial phases" and urged his MPs to cease discussion of possible contests for the leadership. Andy Burnham, commenting before the MP's resignation was confirmed, told reporters: "People shouldn’t rush to conclusions. I have been very focused on my role as mayor of Greater Manchester." Costs and Risks Figures on the committee have allegedly pointed to not only personal opposition towards Mr. Burnham but also the prohibitive cost of a by-election for mayor in Greater Manchester. This could divert around £500,000 in campaign funds from other key electoral battles across the country. "It is deeply selfish of Andy to want to run for this – costing us tens of thousands we don’t have and diverting activist resources... It is absurd beyond description and cannot be allowed," one source said. Several sources also expressed concerns about Nigel Farage’s party attempting to fill any vacancy left by Mr. Burnham, which would represent a major political win for them. Union Influence and Democratic Concerns As a publicly elected mayor, Mr. Burnham would require the NEC's permission to stand. There is also speculation the body could impose an women-only shortlist to prevent his candidacy. However, a supporter counselled against assuming the NEC would automatically block his candidacy, despite Sir Keir's team is largely believed to dominate it. The trade unions hold a significant number of seats on the NEC. While the biggest unions are for now keeping their counsel, insiders indicated they would be uncomfortable with anything perceived as meddling from Downing Street. The leader of the Fire Brigades Union said: "It would be a democratic outrage if Andy Burnham was blocked... Our union will fiercely resist any attempts to stitch up the selection. It’s vital that there is a full and open democratic procedure." By-election Battle The constituency in question has a considerable Labour lead. However, Reform UK is expected to mount a significant campaign, building on its vote in one part of the constituency. Labour assesses it is on firmer ground in the larger Greater Manchester section, though it could face a challenge from pro-Gaza independents. If Mr. Burnham re-enter the Commons, he would need the support of 80 Labour MPs to mount a bid for the leadership, a requirement that is far from certain given he is regarded with caution by some on the backbenches. The resigning MP confirmed he was resigning due to deteriorating mental health, which had made it untenable for him to continue in his role. He also remains subject to a parliamentary standards investigation concerning his membership in an offensive online group.