Burnham Unaware of Speculation Surrounding MP’s Potential Resignation

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has expressed his lack of knowledge regarding rumors suggesting that former Labour minister Andrew Gwynne may soon resign as an MP.

If Gwynne steps down, it could open a pathway for Burnham to re-enter the House of Commons and potentially challenge Sir Keir Starmer for leadership.

While Burnham did not dismiss the possibility of contesting the seat, he clarified that he had not communicated with Gwynne about this and urged people not to jump to conclusions.

He emphasized his commitment to his current responsibilities as the mayor of Greater Manchester.

Gwynne, who was elected as a Labour MP, faced suspension from the party in 2025 due to allegations of sending inappropriate WhatsApp messages. He has been approached for a comment regarding the situation.

Should he resign from the House of Commons, it would necessitate a by-election in his Gorton and Denton constituency, which Labour secured in the last election with a 13,000 majority.

A senior figure indicated that Gwynne had reached an agreement concerning a pension on Thursday, which would permit him to retire from his role on health grounds. However, they warned that while Gwynne’s exit seems highly probable, an announcement on that day was not guaranteed.

In response to the swirling rumors, Sir Keir remarked, “It’s still very early in the process, and the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee will outline the usual procedure for by-elections, as they always do.”

He added, “Andy Burnham is performing exceptionally well as the Mayor of Manchester.”

There have been indications that Burnham might aspire to succeed Sir Keir as the party leader, but he would need to be a Labour MP to enter any leadership contest.

If the Gorton and Denton seat becomes vacant, Burnham would require approval from the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Labour, which is typically viewed as supportive of Sir Keir.

Various Labour insiders have suggested that the NEC might oppose Burnham’s candidacy, citing concerns that his run for Parliament would trigger a by-election for the mayoralty in Greater Manchester, which could strain party resources and pose political risks.

Additionally, the NEC might propose an all-women shortlist for potential Labour candidates in the Commons by-election due to the current male-dominated composition of the party’s MPs.

Nonetheless, some party members questioned whether Burnham’s allies in Parliament could persuade party officials to override a potential NEC decision barring him from standing.

If chosen as Labour’s candidate, Burnham would still need to secure victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election amid an environment where party popularity is waning—although recent polling indicates Labour might retain the seat.

In the 2024 general election, Gwynne achieved victory with 18,000 votes, while the Reform UK candidate followed with 5,000 votes, just ahead of the Greens, who garnered 4,810 votes.

Burnham has previously hinted at the possibility of challenging Sir Keir, stating, “I’m not ruling out any future developments.”

When asked about Gwynne’s possible resignation, Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged his significant health issues, stating, “Considering all the challenges he’s faced, I wish him and his family well.”

He added, “Whether Andy will decide to enter the race is up to him, and ultimately party members will have a say, but we need strong candidates.”

Streeting continued, “In both national government and local leadership, Andy has a profound impact and makes a significant difference.”

Steve Wright, the general secretary of the Labour-affiliated Fire Brigades Union, voiced his concerns, stating, “It would be a democratic disgrace if Andy Burnham were prevented from seeking selection as Labour’s candidate for this by-election.”

He affirmed, “Our union will fiercely resist any attempts to influence the selection process unfairly.”

Commenting on the ongoing situation, SNP Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn remarked that the Labour Party is in a state of “crisis” and embroiled in yet another intense internal conflict.

He stated, “While Labour MPs engage in internal disputes over Starmer’s future, countless families are suffering as a result.”

Gwynne was dismissed from his role as a health minister and suspended from the Labour Party last year after private messages he sent were published, including one that insulted an elderly constituent.

He expressed regret for the offense caused and acknowledged that his comments in a WhatsApp group called Trigger Me Timbers were poorly judged.

Currently, the parliamentary commissioner for standards is conducting an investigation into the matter, which remains unresolved after 11 months.