Starmer's Allies Launch 'Stop Andy Burnham' Effort to Prevent Manchester Mayor's Parliamentary Return
Close associates of Prime Minister Keir Starmer have reportedly kicked off a coordinated initiative to stop Andy Burnham, the Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, from making a comeback to the House of Commons. This action follows the resignation of a Manchester MP, which has prompted an upcoming by-election.
Major Obstacles in the Selection Procedure
A number of figures on the party's powerful NEC have apparently predicted it would be extremely difficult for Mr. Burnham to navigate the candidate selection process. This is primarily due to the sizable presence of supporters of the Prime Minister on the body who are anxious to head off any potential challenge to Starmer's leadership.
The Labour party machine reportedly swung into action following the revelation of the MP's planned resignation, with party figures and MPs voicing warnings about the considerable financial cost and electoral danger of a resulting election for mayor in Greater Manchester.
Burnham's Ambitions and Internal Disquiet
Andy Burnham has made no secret of his political ambitions. Last year, he prompted outrage within No 10 and among cabinet ministers when he remarked that numerous MPs had encouraged him to stand for the party leadership.
It has long been believed that he is aiming for a seat in the Commons to possibly stand for the Labour leadership should a challenge to Sir Keir arise. However, allies of the Greater Manchester Mayor have cautioned against overstating the extent of any scheming, suggesting he is deeply committed to his current role and would only return national politics if he felt he had something to contribute.
"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 source close to Burnham remarked.
Political Landscape and Poll Ratings
Amid polls suggesting Sir Keir is unpopular and many MPs despondent about Labour's prospects at the forthcoming election, Andy Burnham stands out as the only prominent Labour figure with consistently positive ratings with the public.
If Mr. Burnham choose to stand, several obstacles remain. He would need to be approved by the NEC—where the odds are stacked against him—and then secure victory in the byelection against challenges from Reform and independent candidates, all before any possible bid for the leadership.
The 'Stop Andy' Campaign
High-ranking Labour figures have said that a "Stop Andy" operation is already in progress, with the party's organisation being closely managed by senior aides of the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister himself commented that the by-election procedure was in its "early stages" and told his MPs to cease discussion of potential leadership challenges.
Andy Burnham, speaking before the MP's departure was finalised, said to journalists: "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 cited not only personal opposition towards Mr. Burnham but also the significant expense of a mayoral byelection in Greater Manchester. This could divert around £500,000 in party funding from other crucial elections 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," an insider claimed.
A number of sources also expressed concerns about Reform UK attempting to fill any vacancy left by Mr. Burnham, which would represent a major political win for them.
Union Influence and Procedural Fears
As a publicly elected mayor, Mr. Burnham would require the NEC's permission to run. It is also possible the committee could enforce an women-only shortlist to prevent his candidacy.
However, a supporter counselled against presuming the NEC would automatically reject him, despite Sir Keir's team is largely believed to dominate it.
The unions hold a sizable number of seats on the NEC. While the biggest unions are currently keeping their counsel, sources indicated they would be uncomfortable with anything seen as meddling from Downing Street.
The leader of the Fire Brigades Union stated: "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 holds a sizable Labour lead. However, Reform UK is likely to launch a strong challenge, building on its vote in one part of the constituency. Labour believes it is on firmer ground in the larger Greater Manchester section, though it could face some pressure from pro-Gaza independents.
Should Mr. Burnham return to parliament, he would need the support of 80 Labour MPs to launch a bid for the leadership, a hurdle that is far from certain given he is viewed with scepticism by some on the backbenches.
The resigning MP stated he was resigning due to deteriorating health, which had made it untenable for him to continue in his role. He also remains under a standards inquiry related to his membership in an inappropriate online group.
