8 h. ago Should Andy Burnham be allowed to stand as a Labour MP? Take our poll and have your say

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham was blocked from running in the Gorton and Denton by-election after a decision from Labour's ruling National Executive Committee

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13 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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14 h. ago Starmer defends blocking Burnham from standing in byelection – UK politics live

PM says holding a mayoral election in Manchester would divert resources from local council, Scottish and Welsh campaigns for LabourKeir Starmer has defended the decision not to allow Andy Burnham to stand to be Labour’s candidate in the Gorton and Denton byelection. Starmer was on the 10-strong panel that took the near-unanimous decision to block Burnham yesterday, and, speaking to broadcasters today, he set out the same argument used by Douglas Alexander earlier. (See 8.51am.) Starmer said:We have really important elections already across England for local councils, very important elections in Wales for the government there and very important elections in Scotland for the Scottish government that will affect millions of people. And we’re out campaigning on the cost of living and they’re very important elections.We need all of our focus on those elections.There’s also a political point here. What does our constitution say as a democratic socialist party? “By the strength of our comm...

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15 h. ago Burnham barred from byelection to help Labour ‘focus’, says Scotland secretary

Commons seat campaign by Greater Manchester mayor mid-term would drain resources, says Douglas AlexanderLabour’s decision to bar Andy Burnham from standing in a Westminster byelection was about “focus than about factionalism”, so the party would not be distracted ahead of vital elections in May, Douglas Alexander, the Scotland secretary, has said.Defending the decision by the party’s national executive committee (NEC) to block the Greater Manchester mayor from being a candidate for the Gorton and Denton byelection, Alexander said this was not because Keir Starmer was scared of a leadership challenge. Continue reading...

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36 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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37 h. ago Why Andy Burnham has to stand down as Mayor of Greater Manchester to become an MP

Mr Burnham confirmed his ambition to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election on Saturday

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38 h. ago NEC chair Shabana Mahmood issues update on Andy Burnham's bid to stand in by

The mayor of Greater Manchester announced his desire to return to Westminster

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50 h. ago Starmer is cornered: As Andy Burnham throws his hat into the ring for a plum Labour seat, the beleaguered Prime Minister faces a stark choice

Labour plunged deeper towards civil war tonight as Andy Burnham announced his bid to become an MP - his first step in challenging Keir Starmer's fragile leadership.

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50 h. ago Starmer is cornered: As Andy Burnham throws his hat into the ring for a plum Labour seat, the beleaguered Prime Minister faces a stark choice: block him or face a leadership challenge

Labour plunged deeper towards civil war tonight as Andy Burnham announced his bid to become an MP - his first step in challenging Keir Starmer's fragile leadership.

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51 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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51 h. ago Andy Burnham's Westminster return bid could set up Keir Starmer challenge

The Greater Manchester mayor will seek to fight by-election but he could still be blocked by supporters of the Prime Minister

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52 h. ago Keir Starmer 'under threat' as 'leadership rival' confirms parliamentary bid

Andy Burnham intends to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election, amid speculation he's gearing up to rival Keir Starmer's leadership

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53 h. ago Andy Burnham's route to PM in 5 steps as Manchester mayor could topple Keir Starmer

Andy Burnham has officially requested to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election, which would see him quit as Manchester mayor, paving the way for him to challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership

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54 h. ago The deputy mayor who could stand in as Andy Burnham seeks Westminster seat

Andy Burnham's resignation would leave a void at the top - this is how it would be filled

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55 h. ago LIVE: Andy Burnham announces he wants to stand in Gorton and Denton by

The mayor of Greater Manchester has released a statement

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59 h. ago Sadiq Khan says Andy Burnham should be allowed to stand as an MP if he 'wants to' as decision deadline looms for Manchester mayor

The Greater Manchester mayor has until 5pm today to decide if he wants to contest the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.

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60 h. ago Andy Burnham latest: Starmer warned to let Manchester mayor stand as MP or face revolt as deadline looms

Mayor of Greater Manchester faces 5pm deadline to seek permission to stand in upcoming by-election

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3 d. ago MP Andrew Gwynne resigns as Starmer warned of Labour civil war if he blocks Burnham return to Parliament in by

Mr Gwynne was sacked as a minister and suspended from the Labour Party last year over offensive messages in a WhatsApp group

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3 d. ago Burnham warned not to ‘rock the boat’ with Starmer leadership challenge

Labour’s deputy prime minister David Lammy cautioned his party – trailing Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in the polls – could be forced to call an early general election if it changed leader

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3 d. ago Could Keir Starmer survive an Andy Burnham leadership challenge?

Despite the prime minister’s efforts to improve relations with his backbenchers, speculation about his future refuses to die down. With a path back to parliament opening up for Andy Burnham, can Sir Keir cling on to power? Kate Devlin and David Maddox report

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