Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has defended Labour’s decision to prevent Andy Burnham from standing in the Gorton and Denton parliamentary by-election, amid criticism from within the party.
Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester and a former cabinet minister, is widely viewed as a potential future leadership contender should he return to Westminster. Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which includes Starmer, blocked him from standing, saying the move would avoid triggering an unnecessary mayoral election.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Starmer said allowing Burnham to run would have diverted party resources away from “very important” elections in May, including contests for the Senedd in Wales, the Scottish Parliament and English local authorities.
“We’re out campaigning on the cost of living and they’re very important elections,” Starmer said. “We need all of our focus on those elections.”
He said Burnham was “doing a great job” as mayor but argued that holding a mayoral election in Greater Manchester when it was not required would have diverted both money and people from priority campaigns.
Starmer rejected claims that the decision was motivated by concerns over a potential leadership challenge, saying Labour had changed its rules two years ago to establish a presumption against holding unnecessary elections. He also stressed his working relationship with Burnham, noting their cooperation on projects such as Northern Powerhouse Rail and their joint response to an attack on a Manchester synagogue.
Asked for comment, Burnham told the BBC he would not discuss the decision and said he was focused on his role as mayor. He later urged Labour MPs to support the party’s by-election campaign in Greater Manchester, emphasising unity and cooperation.
Labour opinion on the decision appears divided. While some MPs have criticised what they describe as factional manoeuvring, others have welcomed the move, arguing it avoids internal division and prolonged public debate.