Labour blocks Burnham from Denton by-election bid

The political future of the Gorton and Denton constituency has been thrown into turmoil following the resignation of long-serving MP Andrew Gwynne and Labour’s controversial decision to block Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from standing in the resulting by-election.

Andrew Gwynne formally stepped down on health grounds, ending more than two decades as a local MP and triggering a parliamentary by-election, expected to take place alongside the local elections in May. Mr Gwynne, who has been suspended from the Labour Party, resigned before the conclusion of an investigation into his conduct following revelations about messages shared in the so-called Trigger Me Timbers WhatsApp group.

The leaked messages, allegedly sent between 2019 and 2022, sparked widespread outrage and protests outside his constituency office in Denton. They included remarks described as sexist and racist, as well as deeply offensive comments about constituents. Mr Gwynne was removed from his ministerial role by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in February and has since been sitting as an Independent MP.

In a lengthy statement posted on Facebook, Mr Gwynne said his decision to resign followed medical advice and years of worsening ill health, exacerbated by the fallout from the WhatsApp controversy. He apologised to those he had offended and asked to be left in peace to focus on his recovery, describing the role of MP as “the honour of my life”.

His departure initially appeared to clear the way for Andy Burnham, the directly elected Mayor of Greater Manchester and former MP for Leigh, to seek a return to Westminster by standing in the by-election. Mr Burnham applied to be the Labour candidate on Saturday, but because of his mayoral role required approval from the party’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC).

On Sunday, Labour confirmed that permission had been denied.

Mr Burnham said he was “disappointed” by the decision and criticised the way it was handled, claiming the media had been informed before he was. Writing on X, he said he had put himself forward to help prevent “the divisive politics of Reform” gaining ground locally, adding: “We are stronger together and let’s stay that way.”

Labour said the NEC blocked his candidacy to avoid triggering a costly mayoral election in Greater Manchester, which could inconvenience around two million voters and cost millions of pounds.

NEC sources said the decision was backed by an 8–1 vote, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer among those voting to block Mr Burnham. Deputy leader Lucy Powell voted in favour of allowing him to stand, while Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood abstained as chair.

Gorton and Denton has traditionally been a Labour stronghold, with a majority of around 13,000 at the 2024 general election.

Labour will now move ahead with selecting an alternative candidate, with local party members due to vote next weekend following an NEC-led shortlist.