4 h. ago Starmer defends Labour decision to bar Burnham from byelection

Greater Manchester mayor’s participation in 26 February byelection would ‘divert resources’, says prime ministerUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has defended Labour’s decision to block Andy Burnham from standing for parliament, a move which has triggered a major backlash against the prime minister from sections of his own party.Starmer said on Monday he and his fellow officers on Labour’s ruling executive committee had decided not to let Burnham quit as mayor of Greater Manchester to avoid triggering a costly mayoral election. Continue reading...

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7 h. ago POLL OF THE DAY: Is Keir Starmer running scared by blocking Andy Burnham's bid to become an MP?

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is being warned that the by-election block on Andy Burnham has made it more likely he will face a leadership challenge.

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9 h. ago Keir Starmer defends blocking Andy Burnham Commons comeback but Labour MP calls for him to quit

The Prime Minister was facing a Labour revolt after party chiefs stopped Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from being able to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election

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10 h. ago Burnham suggests Labour more likely to lose byelection after blocking him – UK politics live

Minister defends move, saying that a mayoral campaign in Greater Manchester would have ‘a substantial and disproportionate impact’ on party resourcesThere are claims this morning saying Labour MPs opposed to the decision to block Andy Burnham from being a candidate in the Gorton and Denton byelection will try to get the issued referred to a full meeting of Labour’s national executive committee, in the hope that the NEC will reverse it. The decision yesterday was taken by the NEC’s 1o-strong officers’ group, which is dominated by leadership loyalists.The NEC as a whole has about 40 members, and it contains people who would vote against Keir Starmer on this issue. But the leadership still has a clear majority on the NEC. In their story in the Times, Max Kendix, Steven Swinford and Oliver Wright say:In private, allies of Burnham in ­Westminster are looking at ways to overturn the decision, including the ­possibility of trying to convene an emergency meeting of the whole ­40-strong NEC,...

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10 h. ago ‘Psychodrama’ threat to Labour led party chiefs to block Andy Burnham Commons comeback, says minister

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hit by furious backlash from MPs, particularly on the Left of the Labour Party

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28 h. ago Blocking Burnham will ‘hasten your demise,’ Starmer warned by senior London MP as Labour civil war explodes 

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell says decision will cause ‘immense damage’ in scathing attack on Starmer

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29 h. ago Who voted to block Andy Burnham standing in Gorton and Denton by

The application is said to have been blocked by a "very clear majority"

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31 h. ago Andy Burnham latest: Starmer allies block Manchester mayor’s Westminster comeback bid

Manchester mayor has been blocked from standing in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election

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31 h. ago Labour civil war erupts as Starmer allies block Andy Burnham comeback

The party’s ruling National Executive Committee blocked a bid by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election

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46 h. ago Starmer allies urge him to block Andy Burnham from running in byelection

Greater Manchester mayor has applied to stand for Labour in Gorton and Denton, setting up potential fight for PM’s political futureKeir Starmer’s allies are urging him to block Andy Burnham from running in the Gorton and Denton byelection, after the Greater Manchester mayor declared his intention to stand, setting up a potential fight for the prime minister’s political future.Burnham said on Saturday he wanted to contest the seat after the sitting MP, Andrew Gwynne, said he intended to stand down. Continue reading...

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48 h. ago Andy Burnham latest: Labour committee urged not to block Manchester mayor’s Westminster comeback bid

Manchester mayor seeks permission to stand in upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election, paving the way for a potential leadership challenge

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3 d. ago Starmer faces pressure not to block Andy Burnham’s return to parliament

Angela Rayner is expected to urge PM to let Greater Manchester mayor stand in Gorton and Denton byelectionKeir Starmer is facing mounting pressure not to block Andy Burnham from making a comeback to parliament, with Angela Rayner planning to urge No 10 to let him stand in a forthcoming byelection.The prime minister’s allies have been trying to prevent Burnham’s return as a candidate in the Greater Manchester seat of Gorton and Denton, amid fears he could challenge the leadership. Continue reading...

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3 d. ago Voices: ‘Andy Burnham could save Labour’: Readers back Manchester mayor’s potential Westminster return

Our community has criticised Labour’s attempts to block Andy Burnham’s potential Westminster return, insisting: ‘If Burnham wants to stand, he should stand’

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3 d. ago Scots Labour MP urges party not to block Burnham despite fears of nightmare for Scottish Labour

Brian Leishman praised Mr Burnham while others are fearful of the Holyrood election impact

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3 d. ago Starmer allies ‘plan to block Andy Burnham’s route back to Westminster’

Starmer allies on Labour’s national executive committee reportedly trying to stop potential leadership rival from standing at by-election

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3 d. ago Starmer’s allies launch ‘Stop Andy Burnham’ campaign to block parliamentary return

Speculation has spread over whether Burnham will attempt to return to pursue a Labour leadership bidKeir Starmer’s allies have launched a “Stop Andy Burnham” campaign to prevent the Labour mayor from returning to parliament after the resignation of a Manchester MP triggered a byelection.Multiple members of the party’s ruling national executive committee (NEC) predicted it would be impossible for Burnham to make it through the selection process given the number of Starmer loyalists on the body desperate to avoid a leadership challenge. Continue reading...

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