A SENIOR MP has backed Andy Burnham to return to Parliament.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester is weighing up whether to put himself forward as a potential Labour Party candidate for the seat of Gorton and Denton.
Andrew Gwynne’s decision to stand down seemingly clears the way for Mr Burnham to return to Westminster and set up a potential leadership challenge to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Now Debbie Abrahams has backed the so-called ‘King of the North’ should he decide to go for it – and called on Labour’s National Executive Committee to give him the go ahead,
The Oldham East and Saddleworth parliamentarian said: “I’ve known Andy Burnham for nearly 20 years.
“When I was working in the NHS and he was a junior health minister, he listened to me about the issues we faced – and acted.
“I believe he is one of the best politicians in the country, who will always act in the country’s interest.
“His achievements in Greater Manchester are absolutely outstanding, eg. growth in GM is over three per cent!
“Andy encouraged me to become an MP, supported me when I was elected, at re-elections too, and many more times besides.
“I believe we need the person who is most likely to win the Denton by-election, and that is clearly Andy.
“If Andy decides he wants to stand I hope the NEC will allow him to.”
Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell, who sits on the NEC, appeared to indicate her support for Burnham telling an audience in London that she wanted “the very best candidate, the person who can most help Labour win in that by-election” selected.
She described Burnham as “an incredibly popular politician” and said he would have to “make up his own mind” about whether to stand.
The by-election for Gorton and Denton may occur before Thursday May 7, the date of the local elections, should enough signatures be gathered.
Leader of the Workers’ Party, George Galloway, has already confirmed he will stand should Mr Burnham by chosen as Labour’s candidate.
Reform UK is also believed to be concentrating much resource on seizing the seat Mr Gwynne has represented, also in its former Denton and Reddish guise, for 21 years.