Labour Deputy Leader Claims Burnham Could Have Secured Byelection Victory
Labour's deputy leader, Lucy Powell, has asserted that Andy Burnham would probably have won the Gorton and Denton byelection, a contest where the party suffered a shocking third-place finish. Speaking to the BBC's Newscast podcast, Powell called for Labour to make greater use of the Greater Manchester mayor's influence and appeal following the disappointing result.
Byelection Outcome Sparks Internal Reflection
In a dramatic turn of events last Thursday, Labour fell to third place in the previously safe seat of Gorton and Denton. The Greens secured a historic victory, gaining their fifth parliamentary seat, while Reform UK claimed second position. This outcome has reignited debates within Labour regarding the decision to prevent Burnham from contesting the byelection.
Powell, who was the sole member of Labour's national executive committee to vote in favour of allowing Burnham to stand, emphasised her belief that his candidacy would have altered the race. "I think certainly the Greens wouldn't have gone after the seat in the same way that they did," she stated, suggesting that Burnham's presence would have deterred the Green Party's aggressive campaign tactics.
Collective Responsibility and Strategic Shifts
Despite her personal stance, Powell accepted collective responsibility for the committee's decision, which included votes against Burnham's candidacy from eight other members, such as Keir Starmer. She cited concerns about triggering a mayoral byelection in Greater Manchester as a key factor in the ruling.
Powell urged her party to draw inspiration from Burnham's widespread popularity in the region, noting that voters "see in him someone who is on their side, someone who is delivering those Labour values and those Labour policies." She advocated for Labour to harness this model to enhance its national strategy and governance approach.
"We have to draw on that, make use of Andy Burnham, but also draw on that and reflect on how we could do that better nationally and better as a Government," Powell explained. She added that Starmer is very focused on implementing these lessons, based on numerous discussions before and after the byelection.
Reactions and Broader Political Implications
Andy Burnham has not yet publicly commented on the Gorton and Denton result, while Keir Starmer has vowed to continue fighting despite the "disappointing" outcome. Meanwhile, the political landscape continues to evolve, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expected to introduce tougher immigration legislation next week.
A source close to Mahmood warned against a leftward shift in response to the byelection loss, telling the Times: "The Labour government should not learn the wrong lessons from its recent byelection loss. The idea that we are losing Muslim voters over immigration is just plain wrong." This highlights ongoing tensions within Labour regarding policy direction and voter engagement strategies.
The byelection result underscores the challenges facing Labour in maintaining traditional strongholds and adapting to shifting voter allegiances. As the party reflects on this defeat, figures like Lucy Powell are pushing for a renewed emphasis on popular local leaders like Andy Burnham to reconnect with communities and strengthen Labour's electoral prospects moving forward.
