"It is a massive decision for the prime minister and his allies. The calculation is whether it is more damaging to block a popular mayor from running in what could be a difficult by-election in his area or to allow a leadership candidate to come to Westminster and potentially make a leadership challenge in a few months' time. All indications at the moment are that his supporters intend to try to block it when the NEC meets this morning."
"The seat in Greater Manchester is vacant after Andrew Gwynne stood down as an MP on health grounds on Friday. As a directly-elected mayor, Burnham has to get approval from Labour's ruling national executive committee before he can enter the race to be the party's candidate. It is a massive decision for the prime minister and his allies."
The Labour Party's national executive committee will decide whether to permit Andy Burnham, the directly-elected mayor of Greater Manchester, to seek the Gorton and Denton parliamentary seat. Allies of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer may try to block Burnham because of concerns he could return to Westminster and mount a leadership challenge. Burnham applied to return to the Commons and said he wanted to back the Labour government, not undermine it. The vacancy followed Andrew Gwynne standing down on health grounds. Several Labour MPs reacted angrily to suggestions of a block. Supporters reportedly plan to try to block his candidacy, a move that would risk political fallout.
Read at www.bbc.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]