𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Labour’s Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, faces a critical deadline today as he decides whether to return to Westminster in a move that could shake up the party – and create a huge headache for PM Sir Keir Starmer. He must formally seek permission from Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) by 5pm on Saturday to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election, triggered by the resignation of Andrew Gwynne.

The former MP for the seat, citing significant health concerns, announced on Thursday that he would step down, leaving the constituency without parliamentary representation. Mr Burnham, widely viewed as a potential leadership contender, now has only hours to confirm whether he will contest the by-election—a decision that could spark a chain reaction in Greater Manchester politics.

Should he choose to run, the mayoralty of Greater Manchester would become vacant, prompting either a by-election or a succession plan for the role. As a sitting regional mayor, Mr Burnham must obtain NEC approval before putting his name forward, while other candidates have until midnight on Sunday to enter the race.

Labour MPs from the North West are gathering in Liverpool today ahead of the NEC deadline, with former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner expected to publicly back the Mayor’s potential return to Parliament.

According to reports, she will urge the party to allow local members to decide, signalling support for Mr Burnham despite potential tensions with the leadership in London.

Other figures have joined calls for an open selection process. Jo White, chair of Labour’s Red Wall group, said the party must allow the constituency to “choose their candidate” without interference from party headquarters.

Connor Naismith, MP for Crewe and Nantwich, warned that restricting options would be “wrong” and risked undermining trust in the selection process.

However, the prospect of Mr Burnham stepping down as Mayor has sparked concern among some Labour figures. South Manchester MP Graham Stringer said the move could inadvertently hand an advantage to Reform UK, which has vowed to contest the seat aggressively.

He praised Mr Burnham’s record as Mayor, describing him as “very popular” and warning that leaving mid-term could weaken the party’s position in Greater Manchester.

The NEC selection process is expected to run through the coming week, culminating in hustings and a final endorsement by Saturday, January 31. Constituency representatives on the committee have warned against blocking a strong candidate.

Gemma Bolton described any attempt to prevent Mr Burnham from standing as “outrageous,” while Lancaster and Wyre MP Cat Smith emphasised that voters and local party members—not party leadership—should ultimately decide.

The Gorton and Denton seat, won by Mr Gwynne with 51 % of the vote in 2024, could become a high-profile contest, with Labour’s national support having declined in recent polls.

The result may carry implications not just for the leadership speculation surrounding Mr Burnham, but for the party’s hold on regional power in Greater Manchester.

Labour MP and staunch left-winger Richard Burgon has issued a threat against Starmer and the party if they block Burnham standing. He said: “Everyone knows Andy Burnham would have the best chance of beating Reform in Gorton and Denton.

“Fixing the selection to keep him off the ballot would be an affront to party democracy – and a sign [of] nasty factionalism is a higher priority than reversing the rise of Farage and Reform.”

As the 5pm NEC deadline approaches, all eyes are on the Mayor. His decision will determine whether he pursues a parliamentary comeback and potentially a leadership challenge, or remains in his current role, maintaining the stability of Greater Manchester’s regional government.