Andy Burnham gets green light to run for selection in by-election | UK News

Andy Burnham has been cleared to run for selection in the Makerfield by-election following days of speculation that he will challenge Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.

Labour’s National Executive Committee agreed to allow the mayor of Greater Manchester to contest the seat.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Labour’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee has today given permission to Andy Burnham to stand in the candidate selection process in the forthcoming by-election for the Makerfield constituency.”

Burnham, who dodged questions when he was spotted jogging by Sky News on Friday, has already confirmed his intention to stand in the by-election.

Starmer latest: Andy Burnham clears hurdle in by-election bid

He said he has wanted to “bring the change we have brought to Greater Manchester to the whole of the UK and make politics work properly for people”.

Earlier today, allies of Wes Streeting told Sky News’ Ali Fortescue that he will stand in any future Labour leadership contest.

It followed his resignation as health secretary on Thursday, when he delivered an explosive letter to Sir Keir accusing his government of “drift” and the PM himself of leaving a leadership “vacuum”.

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However, he did not trigger an immediate leadership contest himself as expected, calling instead for a “broad” debate about the party’s future.

He also said he backed Burnham to be the candidate in the upcoming by-election near Greater Manchester.

In a post on X, the now-former health secretary wrote: “We need our best players on the pitch. There is no doubt that Andy Burnham is one of them.

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Katie Barnfield spoke with voters throughout Makerfield, a constituency historically loyal to Labour, and found opinion sharply divided.

“The Makerfield by-election will be tough. Votes will need to be earned. Andy is the best chance of winning and that should override factional advantage or propping up one person.”

Earlier this morning, Housing Secretary Steve Reed, a close ally of Sir Keir, admitted the PM was “unpopular”.

He told Sky News: “It’s not a good week that we just had, let me put that on the table straight away.

“It reminds me of what went on under the Conservatives, and I think we need to draw that to a close as quickly as possible.”

Asked if changing an unpopular leader was necessary to beat Reform UK at the next election, Reed replied: “The prime minister is unpopular, but each of the last four prime ministers, in turn, has been the most unpopular prime minister we’ve ever had.”