Burnham faces deadline on by-election decision

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has until 17:00 GMT on Saturday to determine whether or not he wants to run in the forthcoming Gorton and Denton by-election. Burnham will face Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for the party's leadership if they win the parliamentary seat. However, he must clear multiple hurdles. Burnham, the London Mayor, first, must request permission from Labour's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) to list himself as a candidate. The BBC has been told that some of Sir Keir's allies on the committee will attempt to prevent him from serving, a move that may enrage Labour MPs who are in favour of Burnham's support for Burnham.

Burnham, a former Labour minister, has not announced whether or not he will apply to run for the position. When asked about the vacancy in the Greater Manchester constituency on Thursday, he said he was concentrated on his position as mayor and advised people not to

rush to conclusions. Lucy Powell, the deputy Labour leader who sits on the NEC, appeared to support for Burnham while a London audience that she wished for

the very best candidate, the one who will most help Labour win in the upcoming by-election. Burnham was described as an incredibly popular politician by the actress, who said that she would have to make up his own mind about whether or not to stand. Labour members should get behind Keir Starmer, Powell, who represents a Manchester constituency, said, adding that she did not want to see the by-election turn intofighting and talking about ourselves. After the Welsh Parliament, Scottish Parliament, and several local councils in England, which are expected to be difficult for Labour, Sir Keir has been rumored to face a leadership challenge. Due to a significant reorganization of local government, nearly 30 councils have decided to postpone elections this year. Opposition MPs have sluggishly criticized the delay, claiming that it could potentially disenfranchise millions of voters. Burnham, who has served twice before running for Labour leader, must qualify as an MP in order to run in any leadership election. Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, who, according to the BBC, will inform a Labour north west regional conference that the NEC should not refuse to approve Burnham's candidature. Despite Rayner's resignation from office last year, she maintains her strong support among some backbench MPs and members. Several Labour sources have said that the NEC will refuse Burnham's standing on the grounds that it will result in a general election for a new Manchester mayor, which would be costly both for the party and the taxpayer. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority spent around £4 on the last mayoral election. 7m.

Because the majority of the party's MPs are now male, the NEC may also argue that there should be an all-women shortlist of potential Labour candidates for a by-election. The decision will not be made by the full committee, but by the ten NEC officers, including Sir Keir, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, deputy party leader Powell, and party chair Ellie Reeves, the decision will be not Representatives from the GMB and USDAW trade unions are also present. Burnham will know what decision they have reached on Sunday. All applicants who wish to run as Labour's candidate reach their final deadline at midnight on Sunday. Gorton and Denton have long been a safe Labour seat, and they were voted in by 18,000 votes at the last election. Reform United Kingdom came in second with 5,000 votes, barely beating the Green Party to third place. Labour MPs are split on whether they want Burnham to return to the House of Commons as an MP. Blocking Burnham will

cause significant harm both to Keir and ultimately the party,

Labour MP and former shadow chancellor John McDonnell said in a post on X.

I think it would be sad if No 10 were to refuse strong candidates from being considered by the party members in Gorton and Denton,

Cat Smith, MP for Lancaster and Wyre, said.

I don't want to leave the back door open to reform in order to have a shot at Greater Manchester's mayoralty,

Graham Stringer, the MP for Blackley and Middleton South. "I think it's very high-risk. Any candidates running on behalf of a sitting government are going to have a rough time by-elections. I don't think Andy should take the risk.

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