Summary
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, wanted to run for a parliamentary seat in Gorton and Denton. However, Labour's national executive committee (NEC) decided not to allow him to be a candidate. They were worried about the costs of a mayoral election to find his replacement and potential challenges to the party's current leadership.
Key Facts
- Andy Burnham is the current Mayor of Greater Manchester.
- He applied to be a candidate for a parliamentary by-election in Gorton and Denton.
- Labour's national executive committee (NEC) blocked his candidacy.
- The NEC was worried about the high cost of replacing Burnham if he left his mayoral position.
- Some NEC members also feared Burnham might challenge the current Labour leadership.
- Allies of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer were involved in the decision.
- Local Labour party members were not given the option to choose Burnham as a candidate.
- The decision could cause tensions within the Labour Party, which is currently behind in national polls.
