The resolution to dam Andy Burnham from searching for a return to Westminster was extra about “focus than factionalism”, with Labour searching for to keep away from the distraction of a mayoral by-election in Greater Manchester, a Cabinet minister stated.
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander acknowledged Sir Keir Starmer’s function within the resolution to dam his potential management rival, telling Times Radio: “This was a decision, of course, that the Prime Minister was involved in, but was actually a decision taken by a subcommittee of Labour’s national executive committee (NEC).
“The judgment was extra about focus than factionalism.”
He added that if the NEC had allowed Mr Burnham to stand, there would have been “the equal of 20 by-elections diverting time, vitality and cash to a Manchester mayoral contest” which Labour might lose.
“We will surely have fought that contest laborious, however there would have been a point of danger – Reform are outspending us about 10-to-one in the mean time and within the greatest and most pointless electoral contest in England, you’ll be able to by no means take something without any consideration.
“That doesn’t strike me as a risk-free choice.”
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2162447/politics-live-labour-reform-keir-starmer