Andrew Gwynne, the former MP for the Greater Manchester seat, formally quit on Friday, paving the way for a by-election to take place. Angela Rayner is said to back Mr Burnham being allowed to stand for Westminster (Peter Byrne/PA)But, as a regional mayor, Mr Burnham faces the extra hurdle of having to ask permission by 5pm on Saturday of Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC), a body whose membership includes many Starmer loyalists. On Friday, several Labour MPs warned against using the NEC to block Mr Burnham from standing in Gorton and Denton. Jo White, who chairs the Red Wall group of Labour MPs, said: “Let the North decide who their Labour candidate should be for the Gorton and Denton by-election. A London stitch-up will be a disaster for Labour.”Crewe and Nantwich MP Connor Naismith said: “Gorton and Denton deserves the best possible choice of candidates.

Source: The Times January 24, 2026 12:14 UTC