Andy Burnham’s aspirations to lead the Labour Party have been widely known. Dubbed the “King of the North,” Burnham has previously contested leadership in 2010 and 2015. Towards the end of last year, he cryptically stated uncertainty about his future ambitions.
Speculation has been rife since last summer that the Greater Manchester Mayor is eyeing a return to Westminster. Burnham hinted at potential encouragement from MPs to challenge the Prime Minister, causing a stir at the Labour conference and drawing ire from Downing Street.
However, a significant obstacle to Burnham’s serious candidacy has been his non-MP status. This challenge prompted suspended Labour MP Andrew Gwynne to express frustration over rumors of a supposed plan for Burnham to take his seat in Gorton and Denton.
Despite Gwynne’s strong victory in the 2024 election, he initially dismissed the idea of resigning to pave the way for Burnham, asserting that the path to No10 does not run through Gorton & Denton. Yet, following his suspension due to offensive messages, Gwynne has now announced his resignation, triggering a by-election and leaving Burnham with a crucial decision to make.
The selection of a candidate for the Greater Manchester by-election falls under the purview of Labour’s governing body, the National Executive Committee (NEC). With potential opposition from Starmer loyalists within the NEC, Burnham may face challenges in securing candidacy.
If Burnham overcomes these hurdles, he will still need to navigate a by-election amidst a decline in Labour’s national popularity. Opposition parties are gearing up for a fierce battle in Gorton and Denton, with Reform UK and the Green Party expressing intentions to contest the seat.
The charismatic Green Party figure Zack Polanski may also enter the fray, aiming to increase Green Party representation in Parliament. As Burnham weighs his options, the decision to pursue a return to Westminster looms large.