Labour at war after Starmer blocks Andy Burnham's Commons comeback bid

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"Sir Keir Starmer has blocked Andy Burnham's bid to return to Westminster in a political gamble that risks sparking civil war within Labour. The prime minister voted with other members of the party's powerful National Executive Committee (NEC) ruling body to reject his potential leadership rival's request to be allowed to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election, by eight votes to one. In a statement, the party said permission had been denied, in a meeting that lasted just an hour, to avoid an unnecessary election to replace Mr Burnham as mayor of Greater Manchester."

"But the move sparked fury among many Labour MPs, who warned their leader that the decision, which ignored calls from senior party figures to allow Mr Burnham to stand, looked weak, would trigger bloodletting and would hasten your demise. Mr Burnham is yet to comment. Andy Burnham has long been seen as a leadership rival to Keir Starmer (Getty) The decision prevents Mr Burnham's attempt to return to the Commons, at least in the short term, where many see him as the person who could replace Sir Keir in the event of a leadership"

The Independent covers major issues including reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech while investigating financial and political matters and producing documentaries such as 'The A Word'. The organisation rejects paywalls and relies on donations to fund on-the-ground journalism and investigative reporting. Sir Keir Starmer voted with the party's National Executive Committee to deny Andy Burnham permission to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election by eight votes to one. The party framed the decision as avoiding an unnecessary election to replace Burnham as Manchester mayor. The ruling provoked anger among many Labour MPs and prevents Burnham's short-term return to the Commons.

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