Andrew Gwynne ‘to step down as MP’ with Andy Burnham tipped to face in by-election | EUROtoday

A former Labour minister who had the whip eliminated over offensive WhatsApp messages is reportedly anticipated to face down as an MP within the coming days, clearing the best way for management rival Andy Burnham.

Andrew Gwynne, the MP for Gorton and Denton, has beforehand denied that he was meaning to vacate the seat any time quickly, telling The Times in September final 12 months: “The route to No 10 is not going to be through Gorton and Denton.”

But senior Labour figures advised The Times they’re anticipating an announcement from Mr Gwynne, who has been away from Parliament on sick go away, later this afternoon.

Greater Manchester mayor Mr Burnham is claimed to be in search of a Commons comeback to permit him to problem Sir Keir Starmer’s place, and there was hypothesis he might stand in a by-election in Mr Gwynne’s constituency ought to he resign.

The transfer creates the opportunity of Mr Burnham returning to Parliament simply because the prime minister reaches his lowest ebb, with English council, Scottish and Welsh elections in May anticipated to be disastrous for Labour.

Mr Gwynne was sacked as well being minister and suspended from the Labour Party in February final 12 months over feedback made in a WhatsApp group.

He reportedly posted sexist feedback about Angela Rayner, racist remarks about Labour MP Diane Abbott and joked about an aged girl dying in a closed group chat with Labour figures based mostly round Manchester.

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At the time, he publicly apologised and stated he regretted the “badly misjudged” remarks.

He wrote on X: “I entirely understand the decisions the PM and the party have taken and, while very sad to have been suspended, will support them in any way I can.”

Meanwhile, there was widespread hypothesis over Mr Burnham’s management ambitions, with the Greater Manchester mayor repeatedly tipped as main candidate to take over from Sir Keir ought to his place as prime minister change into untenable.

Mr Burnham was the main target of such rumours on the Labour Party convention in September, when he revealed MPs had been privately urging him to problem Starmer.

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But he later criticised reviews of a management bid, and wrote on X in December: “Quite a lot of rubbish in the papers today. Reminds me why I left Westminster in the first place!”

Health secretary Wes Streeting responded to the newest reviews on Thursday, telling BBC radio the Greater Manchester mayor is somebody he’s “proud to work with”.

“If indeed there is going to be a by-election, we need to make sure we’ve got a strong candidate, that we fight really hard to win that by-election, and we need our best candidates to come forward,” Mr Streeting stated.

“As to who that is, whether or not Andy will throw his hat into the ring, is for Andy to consider, and ultimately for party members to decide. But we need strong candidates.

“I’ll just say about Andy, having just seen him just earlier this week, whether it’s in government nationally, or whether it’s leading the city and the region locally, he makes a massive impact and makes a really big difference. He’s someone I’m proud to work with.”

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Any by-election seems to be more likely to be referred to as to coincide with May’s elections.

That would give Labour a larger probability of retaining the seat, and doubtlessly the Greater Manchester mayoralty, in opposition to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, at the moment using excessive in nationwide opinion polls. Mr Farage’s outfit, which doesn’t have the infrastructure of bigger events, is already anticipated to be unfold skinny combating for votes in Scotland, Wales and throughout English councils on 7 May.

But the timing would elevate raises the prospect that Mr Burnham might change into an MP, a prerequisite for getting the highest job, simply as Starmer suffers his most important blow in workplace.

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There are fears Labour might face a wipeout in some areas on the upcoming native elections, in what might be a key second in Starmer’s time as prime minister.

The most up-to-date YouGov MRP, which was carried out in September 2025, projected a Labour maintain within the constituency with Labour on 30 per cent and Reform UK on 24 per cent.

Earlier this month, Britain’s main pollster Professor Sir John Curtice stated Mr Burnham represents Labour’s finest hope of retaining Nigel Farage out of No 10.

Sir John advised The Independent he believes that solely Mr Burnham has the assist throughout the Labour Party, and enchantment to the broader voters, to be an efficient substitute for Sir Keir, who he stated “doesn’t have the skill set for Downing Street”.

A YouGov ballot final month additionally confirmed he was the clear frontrunner among the many candidates tipped to succeed Sir Keir, forward of former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and well being secretary Wes Streeting.

But there was a backlash amongst some Labour MPs in opposition to the thought of Mr Burnham standing.

One Labour MP advised the Independent that it will be “nothing more than a distraction that can roll on for months that we frankly don’t f***ing need.”

The Independent has contacted each Mr Gwynne and Mr Burnham for remark.