Sir Keir Starmer has been hit with a revolt from a major trade union after it was suggested Labour would block Andy Burnham’s return to the House of Commons.
The Greater Manchester mayor, who is tipped to stand in a by-election in the Gorton and Denton constituency, risks not being selected as the party’s candidate if party officials cite concerns about gender balance in Westminster.
The Fire Brigades Union, which donated almost £1million to Labour in 2023/24, is putting pressure on Labour to select the former minister.
“It would be a democratic outrage if Andy Burnham was blocked from seeking selection as Labour’s by-election candidate in this seat,” the FBU’s general secretary Steve Wright said.
“In the event that a by-election takes place, as an affiliated union, the FBU will not stand by and allow senior Labour politicians like Andy to be carved out of this process.
“Our union will fiercely resist any attempts to stitch up the selection.
“It’s vital that there is a full and open democratic procedure to choose Labour’s candidate to fight this by-election.
“Anything less would be unacceptable.”.
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The row was triggered by the resignation of ex-health minister Andrew Gwynne for health reasons, which some perceived as paving the way for Mr Burnham to replace him in the Manchester seat.
His return to the House of Commons would present a potential leadership challenge to the embattled Sir Keir.
However, the Greater Manchester mayor claimed he was “in the dark” over the resignation, but did not deny an intention to stand.
“I’ve had no contact on this issue with Andrew or anyone close to him. I know him of old, of course, but I’m as in the dark about this as anyone,” he said.
Andrew Gwynne MP resigned from his Manchester seat over health issues
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GETTY“People shouldn’t rush to conclusions.
Addressing Mr Gwynne’s resignation on the status of Mr Burnham, the Prime Minister remained tight-lipped on Labour’s plans for the seat.
He said: “It is a very early stage, and the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party will set out the process in the usual way, as it always does for by-elections.
“Andy Burnham is doing an excellent job as Mayor of Manchester. We work very closely together.
“Last year, we were responding together to the terrible attack on a synagogue in Manchester. More recently, we were working together on Northern Powerhouse Rail.
“I think Andy would acknowledge that working with this Government has been much better than the experience he had of working with previous governments.”
A Labour spokesman also added: “We look forward to local residents in Gorton and Denton soon having the opportunity to get the representation they deserve with a new Labour MP.
“While Reform fill their ranks with more and more Tories who failed the country, people living in Gorton and Denton will soon have the opportunity to elect a local champion and Labour MP who will be relentlessly focused on tackling the cost of living, cutting NHS waiting lists and bringing investment and jobs to the local community.”
Speculation has grown Andy Burnham may stand in the newly vacated seat
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The response appeared to preempt Nigel Farage’s Reform UK from attempting to snatch the seat from Labour at the upcoming by-election.
Despite chasing down an 18,000-vote majority, a recent More in Common poll suggested Reform UK would win Gorton & Denton in a knife-edge race.
A spokesman for Mr Farage’s party said: “If the by-election happens, then Reform will throw everything at it.
“It’s a huge ask for anyone to beat Labour in Manchester, but we will give it our all.”