Greater Manchester mayor has applied to stand for Labour in Gorton and Denton, setting up potential fight for PM’s political future
Keir 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.
Burnham’s allies – including ministers, MPs and trade union chiefs – say that as one of the country’s most high-profile and popular Labour politicians, he must be allowed to fight the seat and attempt a return to parliament.
But with the Manchester mayor having made no secret about his leadership ambitions, those close to the prime minister were on Friday night urging him to take steps to prevent Burnham standing.
