Manchester, United Kingdom. UK media reported that Labour’s National Executive Committee has blocked Andy Burnham from seeking to return to parliament as a Labour candidate. Burnham is regarded as a potential leadership rival to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Burnham’s bid to stand for a vacant seat
Burnham, an elected mayor in the northern English city of Manchester, said on Saturday he wanted to become Labour’s candidate to replace a lawmaker who resigned last week.
Decision by Labour’s National Executive Committee
Local news outlets, including the BBC and The Guardian, reported that he was refused permission by Labour’s National Executive Committee, which is made up of lawmakers, trade union representatives and local-level party officials.
Political context and party standing
The reported decision comes as Labour’s popularity has fallen since its landslide election win in July 2024, amid criticism that Starmer has struggled to deliver on promises of a stronger economy, better public services and tighter borders.
Market reaction
Bond markets reacted negatively last week to the prospect of Burnham’s return to parliament, with some investors viewing it as a potential trigger for political turmoil and, if he eventually replaced Starmer, a looser fiscal policy.
How do you think the party’s internal selection decisions could affect Labour’s public support?