ANDY Burnham is set to be surprisingly blocked from standing to become Denton’s next MP.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester applied for permission to be in the running to replace Andrew Gwynne, who is standing down on health grounds.
But the Labour Party’s national executive committee – which includes Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, whose position may be under threat of Mr Burnham returns to Westminster – is thought to have said no.
It is believed a vote of the 10-strong committee went eight to one against allowing him to be on the potential candidate list, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood abstaining.
Mr Burnham said on Saturday, January 24 he wanted to stand, stating: “I have written to the chair of Labour’s national executive committee seeking permission to enter the selection process for a candidate for the forthcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.
“I see this by-election as the front line of that fight for the Manchester way and I feel I owe it to a city which has given me so much to lead it from the front, despite the risks involved.”
Blocking Mr Burnham is likely to spark a huge backlash as he received support from many influential figures.
Ashton-under-Lyne’s MP, former deputy leader Angela Rayner, is believed to support him, while Oldham East and Saddleworth’s Debbie Abrahams 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.”
Former leader, now energy secretary, Ed Miliband and Lucy Powell, the party’s deputy leader, said it would be wrong to block him.
Mr Burnham’s equivalent in London, Sadiq Khan, added: “I think if Andy Burnham wants to be a member of Parliament, Andy Burnham should be allowed to be a member of Parliament.”
The deadline for applicants to put their name forward to stand in Gorton and Denton is midnight on Sunday, January 25.
A longlist of candidates set to be drawn up by a selection panel a day later, with shortlisting interviews held on Tuesday, January 27 before hustings and selection on Saturday, January 31.
It is expected a by-election will take place on Thursday, May 7 – the date of the local polls – but if enough signatures are gathered, it can be brought forward.
Reform UK is targeting much resource, as its head of policy Zia Yusuf is expected to stand.
While Workers Party leader George Galloway appears to have some thinking to do after saying he would stand if Mr Burnham was selected.
Green Party head Zack Polanski, who comes from Salford, is also being linked with candidacy.