Andy Burnham has issued his first feedback (Image: Getty)
Andy Burnham has lastly damaged his silence hours after Keir Starmer brutally blocked him from standing as an MP within the forthcoming Gorton and Denton by-election. Mr Burnham’s feedback got here 5 hours after information broke that Labour’s ruling govt committee voted 8-1 in opposition to him being allowed to use to be the celebration’s candidate.
Taking to X, Mr Burnham mentioned: “I am disappointed by today’s NEC decision and concerned about its potential impact on the important elections ahead of us. To whoever is Labour’s candidate and to our members in Manchester and Tameside: you will have my full support and I will be there whenever you need me. Tomorrow I return with full focus to my role as Mayor of [Greater Manchester]defending everything we have built in our city-region over many years.”
Read extra: ‘Disgusting’ Labour civil conflict explodes as MPs publicly slam ‘weak’ Keir Starmer
Keir Starmer feared a management coup by Mr Burnham (Image: Getty)
“I decided to put myself forward to prevent the divisive politics of Reform from damaging that. We are stronger together and let’s stay that way.”
The information from Labour’s NEC got here after an emergency assembly that lasted just below 45 minutes, wherein Sir Keir Starmer personally led the cost to dam Mr Burnham’s return to Westminster.
The assembly, which lasted just below an hour, noticed the panel of Keir Starmer loyalists vote in favour of blocking Mr Burnham from making use of for the Labour candidacy.
The small clique insists that the refusal is all the way down to fears about the price of having to carry a by-election for Metro Mayor of Manchester ought to Mr Burnham be permitted to face for parliament, a by-election Reform UK might win.
An NEC supply advised the Express that Keir Starmer personally led the cost to shoot down Mr Burnham’s MP ambitions, talking first and voting in opposition to letting his prime rival return to Westminster.
Labour grandee John McDonnell is amongst these voicing fury at Sir Keir this night (Image: Getty)
The supply mentioned: “Keir was there and led from the front. He took up the mantel and even the most sceptical about Keir were very impressed.
“The Prime Minister argued that we could not threat a by-election in Greater Manchester [for mayor]and that the psychodrama from the final 48 hours had not been useful.”
While Sir Keir repeated that Mr Burnham was a “nice mayor doing an incredible job”, he barely addressed him by name for the remainder of his remarks.
The news sparked instant fury from Labour MPs, who went public with their attacks on Sir Keir and the clique governing the party.
John McDonnell, the previous shadow chancellor, mentioned: “Message to Keir: Do not underestimate the depth of anger people will feel about this disgusting decision.
“If you think it strengthens you I tell you it will simply hasten your demise. You could have shown magnanimous leadership but instead it’s cowardice.”
Middlesborough MP Andy McDonald blasted: “This is completely outrageous. It should be for the members to decide who stands in this by election.
“I’m afraid the NEC and the control freaks have made a catastrophic mistake and they have massively miscalculated the damage this will cause.”
Left-winger Richard Burgon added: “Keir Starmer and his clique have shown they’re prepared to lose Gorton and Denton to Reform – just to protect narrow factional interests.
“It’s weak leadership – and will only deepen the crisis the party is in.”
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2162379/andy-burnham-breaks-silence-byelection