Huge blow for Starmer as key ex-ally provides backing for Burnham takeover | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Angela Rayner has delivered a devastating blow to Sir Keir Starmer’s management by publicly throwing her weight behind Andy Burnham’s bid to return to Parliament, opening the door for a possible management problem towards the Prime Minister. Ms Rayner, the previous deputy prime minister and housing secretary who resigned final yr after breaching the ministerial code, is predicted to inform Labour’s north-west regional convention right now that she opposes any try by the social gathering’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to dam Mr Burnham from standing within the Gorton and Denton by-election.

The intervention lands at a pivotal second. Mr Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, faces a 5pm deadline right now to hunt NEC permission to pursue the Labour nomination for the seat, which fell vacant after former minister Andrew Gwynne resigned on well being grounds. With candidacy functions closing at midnight tonight, Ms Rayner’s endorsement considerably strengthens Mr Burnham’s place and complicates the duty for Sir Keir’s loyalists on the NEC, who’re understood to be getting ready to veto his candidacy.

Should Mr Burnham achieve approval, win the by-election – which may very well be held as early as subsequent month – and return to the Commons, he could be well-placed to launch a direct problem to Sir Keir. Party guidelines bar elected mayors from searching for parliamentary seats with out NEC consent, and a contest for the Greater Manchester mayoralty could be expensive and politically hazardous for Labour.

Ms Rayner’s backing carries explicit weight due to her lasting assist amongst backbench MPs and social gathering members. Once Sir Keir’s closest parliamentary ally, she has emerged as a standard-bearer for these sad with the Government’s trajectory since her departure from the Cabinet. Allies say her stance is pushed by a want to let northern voices prevail quite than permit a “London stitch-up”, a sentiment echoed by Red Wall MPs.

Jo White, chair of the Red Wall group, warned: “A London stitch-up will be a disaster for Labour.” Connor Naismith, MP for Crewe and Nantwich, mentioned limiting candidate selection could be “wrong”. Even an NEC member, Gemma Bolton, instructed broadcasters that blocking Mr Burnham could be “outrageous” and reveal “real weakness” in Sir Keir’s management.

Mr Burnham has stayed largely silent, repeatedly stressing that he stays “focused” on his mayoral function and cautioning towards untimely hypothesis. The compressed timetable has nonetheless compelled a swift choice, and any transfer to Westminster would signify a defining gamble in his profession.

Gorton and Denton has lengthy been a Labour stronghold, secured with a 13,000 majority in 2024. Yet Reform UK’s sturdy second place and Labour’s broader recognition dip imply victory is way from assured. A Burnham candidacy might bolster native turnout or, conversely, spotlight nationwide weaknesses if the consequence proves shut.

Those near Sir Keir regard Mr Burnham’s potential return as deeply unwelcome. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has cautioned towards these searching for to “destabilise the ship” with management hypothesis, noting it will set off quick election pressures. Some NEC figures are reportedly advocating an all-women shortlist as a way of sidelining Mr Burnham, citing the current gender imbalance amongst Labour MPs.

Ms Rayner’s intervention has deepened present fractures inside the social gathering at a susceptible time. With native elections in May anticipated to ship disappointing outcomes and Sir Keir’s private rankings beneath pressure, speak of a management contest has intensified. Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Ms Rayner herself have been talked about as doable contenders, however Mr Burnham’s regional profile and media presence place him as probably the most formidable risk.

On the face of it, barring Mr Burnham dangers additional alienating northern MPs and members already resentful of perceived metropolitan dominance. Graham Stringer, the MP for Blackley and Middleton South in Greater Manchester, mentioned Mr Burnham was “entitled to be ambitious but this isn’t the right opportunity”, warning: “I think it’s very high-risk. By-elections are a nightmare for any candidates standing on behalf of a sitting government. I don’t think Andy should take that risk.”