Sir Keir Starmer’s allies look set to “stitch-up” Andy Burnham’s potential by-election bid in Gorton & Denton by adopting either an ethnic minority or all-women shortlist, insiders have claimed.
Mr Burnham, who is expected to mount a bid to return to Westminster following the resignation of ex-Health Minister Andrew Gwynne yesterday, faces a number of hurdles before being selected as the potential by-election candidate.
Politics Home has suggested that an all-ethnic minority shortlist of candidates could halt Mr Burnham’s comeback.
It has also been suggested that the NEC might be drawing up an all-female shortlist.
Matthew Torbitt, a former Labour staffer and regular GB News panellist, said: “Third in the polls, about to get trounced in May, the most unpopular Prime Minister in living memory, so what’s the solution?
“DEI nonsense to stitch it up because a candidate is too good and essentially overqualified. I say this earnestly, this will be the final straw for me.”
Sir Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham have developed a frosty relationship over the past few months | PA
The Prime Minister has insisted Labour has not yet selected its candidate for the looming showdown.
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.”
Sir Keir is facing a huge challenge from Nigel Farage in Gorton & Denton, with Reform UK vowing to “throw everything” at beating Labour.
Andrew Gwynne released his resignation statement on Facebook | FACEBOOK
In a warning to the Prime Minister, polling guru Sir John Curtice said: “If Andy Burnham is not the candidate, particularly if he is stopped by Labour, and Labour then lose, Keir Starmer is going to get the blame.
“If Burnham fights the by-election he will be putting his alleged popularity and ability to turn around Labour’s fortunes to the test.
“If he loses, that’s the end, but if he wins that could raise questions for the PM.”
Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who was born in Salford, is also mulling over standing in the seat.
Green Party membership has skyrocketed since the election of Zack Polanski | PA
Denton & Gorton could hold a by-election as soon as May 7 after Mr Gwynne quit over ill health yesterday.
Mr Gwynne, who was stripped of the Labour whip over offensive comments made in a WhatsApp group, said: “It has been the honour of my life to have been an elected representative for almost exactly three decades, representing my home community firstly as a Denton West Councillor on Tameside Council and then in the House of Commons as MP for Denton & Reddish and more recently for Gorton & Denton.
“Over those years I haven’t got everything right and I’ve certainly made mistakes, but I’ve always tried my very best and I have helped tens of thousands of constituents with their issues along the way. Indeed it’s been helping people that’s given me the greatest pleasure in these jobs.”
Despite speculation about Mr Burnham plotting his return to Westminster, the former Leigh MP yesterday insisted he had been kept “in the dark” about Mr Gwynne’s decision to step down.
Andrew Gwynne served briefly in Sir Keir Starmer’s Government before being sacked | PA
“I’ve had no contact on this issue with Andrew or anyone close to him,” Mr Burnham said.
“I know him of old, of course, but I’m as in the dark about this as anyone. People shouldn’t rush to conclusions.”
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister remained hesitant about who would contest the seat as Labour’s candidate, instead maintaining the process is in a “very early stage”.
Sir Keir added: “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.”