On Sunday Labour ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) held a meeting and blocked Any Burnham’s Commons comeback by eight votes to one.
This has caused civil war within the Labour Party and has provoked anger and some senior officials are calling for members to have their say on Burnham’s comeback.
John McDonnell warned that blocking Burnham from standing in Parliament will cause “damage” to Sir Keir Starmer and Labour.
McDonnell wrote on X,” 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.”
McDonnell said that Reform UK are challenging the Gorton and Denton by-election, he warned, “This could be irrecoverable if we then lose the by-election.
I have today 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.
Read my letter here.👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/TwKgADsuSB
— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) January 24, 2026
Neil Duncan-Jordan said: “This stitch-up puts control before country.”
He added, “Those who have orchestrated this outcome are happy to destroy the Labour Party because of their deep seated factionalism.
We’ve seen this before when some individuals were actively working against us winning. We’re rapidly losing all sense of reason.”
However the NEC said that allowing Burnham to stand for Parliament will cause “an unnecessary election” saying that Manchester would be “at risk” of Labour possibly losing control of Greater Manchester.
The NEC said that this would have a “substantial and disproportionate impact on party campaign resources.”
“Although the party would be confident of retaining the mayoralty, the NEC could not put Labour’s control of Greater Manchester at any risk,” a statement read.
“Andy Burnham is doing a great job as mayor of Greater Manchester. We believe it is in the best interests of the party to avoid an unnecessary mayoral election which would use substantial amounts of taxpayers’ money and resources that are better spent tackling the cost of living crisis.
“We look forward to fighting and winning the upcoming by-election in Gorton and Denton and the positive campaign ahead, which will be firmly focussed on tackling the cost of living and bringing investment to the local area.”
