Labour Plans Pressure on Burnham to Prevent By-Election Move – Guido Fawkes

Labour Plans Pressure on Burnham to Prevent By-Election Move

mdi-fullscreen

Labour’s National Executive Committee is deadly serious in its efforts to block Andy Burnham’s premature journey back down to Westminster. Guido reported yesterday on the possibility of the NEC forcing an open selection for any by-election seat Burnham might have his eye on, with Andrew Gwynne’s Gorton and Denton said to have his attention. Starmerite contingency planners are hoping it does not get to that stage…

NEC sources tell Guido they are prepared for a battle over this on the grounds that the party is “cash poor“, and fighting two by-elections simultaneously – for the vacant greater Manchester mayoralty and the parliamentary seat – is unsustainable. If Burnham wants to make his triumphant return, the party will politely encourage him to do so after his third mayoral term ends in May 2028. In other words: get back in your box until the next general election…

A Labour source tells Guido today:

“Andy Burnham promised the people of Manchester a full third term, and we all fully support him doing that.”

Burnham is popular with the members, but the Starmerites won’t back down. Lucy Powell is said to be the King of the North’s top remaining ally at the Cabinet table. And how long will she keep her spot?