Andy Burnham is a popular and powerful figure within the Labour party and his return to Parliament would represent a huge challenge for the Prime Minister.

09:39, Sat, Jan 24, 2026 Updated: 09:50, Sat, Jan 24, 2026

Angela Rayner And Andy Burnham At The Daily Mirror Party At The Labour Party Conference In Brighton, 2021

Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham enjoying themselves at the Labour Party Conference (Image: Getty)

Angela Rayner has delivered a devastating blow to Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership by publicly throwing her weight behind Andy Burnham’s bid to return to Parliament, opening the door for a potential leadership challenge against the Prime Minister. Ms Rayner, the former deputy prime minister and housing secretary who resigned last year after breaching the ministerial code, is expected to tell Labour’s north-west regional conference today that she opposes any attempt by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to block Mr Burnham from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

The intervention lands at a pivotal moment. Mr Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, faces a 5pm deadline today to seek NEC permission to pursue the Labour nomination for the seat, which fell vacant after former minister Andrew Gwynne resigned on health grounds. With candidacy applications closing at midnight tonight, Ms Rayner’s endorsement significantly strengthens Mr Burnham’s position and complicates the task for Sir Keir’s loyalists on the NEC, who are understood to be preparing to veto his candidacy.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Number 10 (Image: Getty)

Should Mr Burnham gain approval, win the by-election – which could be held as early as next month – and return to the Commons, he would be well-placed to launch a direct challenge to Sir Keir. Party rules bar elected mayors from seeking parliamentary seats without NEC consent, and a contest for the Greater Manchester mayoralty would be costly and politically hazardous for Labour.

Ms Rayner’s backing carries particular weight because of her lasting support among backbench MPs and party members. Once Sir Keir’s closest parliamentary ally, she has emerged as a standard-bearer for those unhappy with the Government’s trajectory since her departure from the Cabinet. Allies say her stance is driven by a desire to let northern voices prevail rather than allow a “London stitch-up”, a sentiment echoed by Red Wall MPs.

Jo White, chair of the Red Wall group, warned: "A London stitch-up will be a disaster for Labour." Connor Naismith, MP for Crewe and Nantwich, said restricting candidate choice would be “wrong”. Even an NEC member, Gemma Bolton, told broadcasters that blocking Mr Burnham would be “outrageous” and reveal “real weakness” in Sir Keir’s leadership.

Mr Burnham has stayed largely silent, repeatedly stressing that he remains “focused” on his mayoral role and cautioning against premature speculation. The compressed timetable has nonetheless compelled a swift decision, and any move to Westminster would represent a defining gamble in his career.

Gorton and Denton has long been a Labour stronghold, secured with a 13,000 majority in 2024. Yet Reform UK’s strong second place and Labour’s broader popularity dip mean victory is far from assured. A Burnham candidacy could bolster local turnout or, conversely, highlight national weaknesses if the result proves close.

Those close to Sir Keir regard Mr Burnham’s potential return as deeply unwelcome. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has cautioned against those seeking to “destabilise the ship” with leadership speculation, noting it would trigger immediate election pressures. Some NEC figures are reportedly advocating an all-women shortlist as a means of sidelining Mr Burnham, citing the present gender imbalance among Labour MPs.

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Ms Rayner’s intervention has deepened existing fractures within the party at a vulnerable time. With local elections in May expected to deliver disappointing results and Sir Keir’s personal ratings under strain, talk of a leadership contest has intensified. Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Ms Rayner herself have been mentioned as possible contenders, but Mr Burnham’s regional profile and media presence position him as the most formidable threat.

On the face of it, barring Mr Burnham risks further alienating northern MPs and members already resentful of perceived metropolitan dominance. Graham Stringer, the MP for Blackley and Middleton South in Greater Manchester, said Mr Burnham was "entitled to be ambitious but this isn't the right opportunity", warning: "I think it's very high-risk. By-elections are a nightmare for any candidates standing on behalf of a sitting government. I don't think Andy should take that risk."