Andy Burnham has been blocked from standing in the Gorton and Denton byelection.
Following a meeting we understand of nine voting members on NEC group it was 8-1 against him say reports
Lucy Powell was reportedly the only member of the committee in favour
Reports also say that the committee said that allowing Burnham to stand down would be gambling with the lives and communities of the people of Manchester and it would be ‘madness’ and ‘irresponsible’ to risk Manchester so ‘one person can break the rules’ and pursue his political ambitions
Burnham’s return would see a return to the political psychodrama that dominated the Tory years in governments, but this time with a higher price tag for the economic uncertainty with billions more in debt interest payments say Steven Swinford the political editor of the Times
Reaction has been swift-Former Shadow John MCDonnell, a supporter of Andy Burnham wrote on X
“Message to Keir: Do not underestimate the depth of anger people will feel about this disgusting decision. If you think it strengthens you I tell you it will simply hasten your demise. You could have shown magnanimous leadership but instead it’s cowardice.”
Middlesborough MP Andy McDonald wrote on X
“This is completely outrageous. It should be for the members to decide who stands in this by election.I’m afraid the NEC and the control freaks have made a catastrophic mistake”
Momentum said of the decision that “Local members have been denied the chance to vote for the best-placed candidate to defeat Reform…”
More follows
