Andy Burnham’s aspirations to lead the Labour Party have been widely known. Referred to as the “King of the North,” Burnham has previously participated in two leadership contests in 2010 and 2015. Last year, he hinted at uncertain future plans, stating, “I don’t know what the future will hold.”
Speculation has been rife since last summer that the Mayor of Greater Manchester is eyeing a return to Westminster. Burnham hinted at potential MP challenges following encouragement from certain MPs, causing a stir and drawing ire from Downing Street during the Labour conference in Liverpool.
Despite the buzz around Burnham’s potential candidacy, a significant obstacle remains – his non-MP status. This obstacle led to frustration expressed by suspended Labour MP Andrew Gwynne over talks of a rumored agreement for Burnham to take over the Gorton and Denton seat.
Gwynne, who won comfortably in the 2024 elections, dismissed the idea of resigning to facilitate Burnham’s entry into Parliament, stating that the path to No10 does not run through Gorton & Denton.
However, recent developments saw Gwynne announcing his resignation from the Commons due to suspension over offensive messages, paving the way for a by-election. This move forces Burnham to make a crucial decision regarding his political future, potentially sacrificing his mayoral position for a shot at Westminster.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party holds the authority to select a candidate for the Greater Manchester by-election. With possible resistance from Starmer loyalists within the NEC, Burnham’s path to candidacy may face challenges.
If Burnham clears the internal party hurdles, winning the by-election amidst a period of declining popularity for Labour poses another significant challenge. Opposition parties, including Reform UK and the Green Party, are gearing up for a fierce battle in Gorton and Denton.
While Burnham may embrace the upcoming political contest, the decision to enter the race brings about a pivotal moment in his career.