Burnham would probably' have won byelection, says Labour deputy leader

"I think certainly the Greens wouldn't have gone after the seat in the same way that they did. Powell was the only member of Labour's ruling national executive committee to vote in favour of allowing Burnham to stand in Gorton and Denton, with eight others including Keir Starmer voting against."

"We have to draw on that, make use of Andy Burnham, but also draw on that and reflect on how we could do that better nationally and better as a Government. And I know from talking to Keir many, many times over recent weeks, before this byelection and since, that that is something he is very focused on doing."

"people see in him someone who is on their side, someone who is delivering those Labour values and those Labour policies. She added: We have to draw on that, make use of Andy Burnham, but also draw on that and reflect on how we could do that better nationally and better as a Government."

Labour experienced a significant defeat in the Gorton and Denton byelection, finishing third as the Greens secured their fifth parliamentary seat and Reform UK came second. Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell stated that Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, likely would have won the seat had he been allowed to stand. Powell was the sole national executive committee member voting to permit Burnham's candidacy, while eight others including Keir Starmer opposed it due to concerns about a mayoral byelection. Powell emphasized the need to leverage Burnham's popularity and his perceived alignment with Labour values, suggesting the party should replicate his approach nationally. She accepted collective responsibility for the decision while acknowledging the party must learn from the outcome.

Read at www.theguardian.com