Labour Clash: Starmer Allies Stop Burnham’s Westminster Bid

Allies of Sir Keir Starmer have begun organising what insiders describe as a “Stop Andy Burnham” effort, aimed at preventing the Greater Manchester mayor from returning to parliament after the resignation of Labour MP Andrew Gwynne triggered a by election.

Senior figures on Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee say Burnham would struggle to clear the party’s selection process, given the strength of Starmer loyalists on the NEC and their determination to head off any future leadership challenge.

The party machine moved swiftly after it emerged that Gwynne intended to step down on health grounds. Officials and MPs quickly raised concerns about both the financial cost and political risk of a subsequent mayoral contest, should Burnham leave his post to run for a Commons seat.

Burnham’s Westminster

Burnham allies, however, warn that any attempt by the leadership to block him would provoke anger among MPs, trade unions and grassroots members. Burnham served as MP for Leigh from 2001 to 2017 and remains one of Labour’s most recognisable figures outside Westminster.

The mayor has never hidden his ambitions. He caused irritation in Downing Street and among cabinet ministers last year when he said, ahead of the party conference, that many MPs had urged him to stand for the Labour leadership. For years, he has been seen as a potential challenger to Starmer, though opportunities to return to parliament in the north west had appeared limited.

With Gwynne’s departure, that calculation has changed. The government must now move the writ for a by election, which sources say is likely to be held before the May local and devolved elections. That timing would place Burnham in Westminster at a sensitive moment for the party, should he choose to run.

Supporters caution against portraying him as plotting a comeback. One ally said Burnham was deeply committed to his role as mayor and would only consider a return to national politics if he believed he had something meaningful to contribute.

“People want to paint him as scheming, but that’s not where he is,” the ally said. “He loves being mayor. A return would only happen if he felt he could genuinely add value.”

Even so, Burnham stands out at a time when Labour MPs are anxious about the party’s prospects and Starmer’s polling remains weak. Unlike most senior figures, Burnham continues to enjoy positive public approval ratings.

If he did decide to stand, the hurdles would be formidable. He would need NEC approval to be selected, then win a by election in Gorton and Denton against Reform UK and pro Gaza independents, all before any potential leadership contest could even be contemplated.

Several senior Labour figures say a coordinated effort to stop Burnham is already under way, with the party apparatus tightly controlled by Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, and his allies.

Starmer himself sought to shut down leadership speculation on Thursday, saying the by election process was in its early stages and urging MPs to focus on policy rather than internal politics.

“My message to my entire party is that every minute we waste talking about anything other than the cost of living and stability in Europe and across the globe is a wasted minute,” he told Channel 4 News.

Burnham, speaking before Gwynne formally confirmed his resignation, urged caution. He said he remained focused on his work as mayor and pointed to his reindustrialisation plan for Greater Manchester as evidence of that commitment.

Five NEC members told the Guardian they believed Burnham would not make it through the selection panel, citing the dominance of Starmer allies and the ability to shape the panel itself. They said the resistance was driven not only by mistrust of Burnham’s intentions, but also by practical concerns.

Allowing Burnham to run would trigger a mayoral election in Greater Manchester, diverting an estimated £500,000 in party funds and stretching activist resources at a time when Labour faces multiple crucial contests.

“It would be deeply selfish,” one figure said. “We cannot afford to pour money and effort into a mayoral race when we are fighting battles across the country.”

Others fear the political risk. Reform UK has made inroads in parts of Greater Manchester, particularly in Tameside, and some insiders worry a vacancy could hand Nigel Farage’s party its biggest victory yet.

Burnham would require explicit NEC permission to stand as a publicly elected mayor, and the committee could also impose an all women shortlist, a move that would effectively block him. Still, one ally warned against assuming the NEC would automatically fall into line.

“Nobody wants a huge internal fight,” they said. “That helps no one. But it would be unwise to second guess how this plays out.”

Trade unions, which hold 13 of the roughly 40 NEC seats, are a key factor. Unite, Unison and the GMB have so far stayed silent, though sources say they would be uncomfortable with any heavy handed intervention from No 10.

The Fire Brigades Union general secretary, Steve Wright, warned that blocking Burnham would amount to a democratic outrage. He said affiliated unions would resist any attempt to stitch up the selection process and demanded a full and open contest.

Others inside Labour argue that reopening leadership questions ahead of the May elections would destabilise the party. “I don’t think anyone would thank Andy for triggering that,” one MP said.

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Gwynne’s seat, to the south east of Manchester, has a majority of 13,413. Labour believes it is stronger in the Greater Manchester portion of the constituency, though Reform UK is expected to mount a serious challenge, alongside pressure from pro Gaza independents.

Gwynne confirmed on Thursday that he was stepping down after more than two decades in parliament, citing severe mental health difficulties. He said his condition had worsened following last year’s controversy over leaked WhatsApp messages, which led to his suspension from the party and a parliamentary standards investigation.

Quoting his GP, Gwynne said he was extremely vulnerable and that further stress could cause rapid deterioration. He added that he did not believe he could safely return to parliamentary duties.

While proud of his time in office, Gwynne said he wished the Labour government every success in tackling the country’s challenges. His resignation now sets the stage for a by election that could test both Labour’s unity and Starmer’s authority.