Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell has suggested that Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham would probably have won the Gorton and Denton by-election, where her party suffered a devastating defeat last Thursday.
Historic Labour Loss to Greens
The Labour Party fell to third place in the vote, with the Greens securing victory in a constituency that Labour had held for almost a century. This represents one of the most significant electoral setbacks for the party in recent memory.
Powell's Assessment of Burnham's Potential Impact
Speaking to the BBC's Newscast podcast, Ms Powell stated that Mr Burnham "probably would have" held the seat for Labour. She elaborated that the Greens would not have campaigned against the constituency with the same intensity if the popular mayor had been the candidate.
"I think certainly the Greens wouldn't have gone after the seat in the same way that they did," Ms Powell told the BBC.
Internal Labour Division Over Candidate Selection
Ms Powell was the sole member of Labour's ruling national executive committee to vote in favour of allowing Mr Burnham to stand in Gorton and Denton. Eight other NEC members, including party leader Keir Starmer, voted against this proposal.
Despite being outnumbered, Ms Powell has accepted "collective responsibility" for the decision, citing concerns about triggering a mayoral by-election in Greater Manchester if Mr Burnham had vacated his current position.
Call to Replicate Burnham's Popularity
The Labour deputy leader has now urged her party to examine the reasons behind Mr Burnham's substantial popularity in Greater Manchester and determine how to replicate this success nationally.
"People see in him someone who is on their side, someone who is delivering those Labour values and those Labour policies," Ms Powell explained.
She added: "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. And I know from talking to Keir many, many times over recent weeks, before this by-election and since, that that is something he is very focused on doing."
Leadership Responses to Electoral Setback
While Mr Burnham has remained quiet regarding the Gorton and Denton result, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to continue fighting despite what he described as the "disappointing" outcome.
In a letter to Labour members, Mr Starmer wrote: "I get it: people are rightly impatient to see more of the change they voted for in 2024. It's my job to make sure that happens. And I'm working day in, day out to see it through."
The Prime Minister continued: "Over the coming months, people will feel more of the change we are delivering on cost of living and more opportunities for people in our country. The majority of this country neither want the wrong-headed policies of Zack Polanski or the division of Nigel Farage. Our task in the coming months is to focus on that majority and ensure Labour is the voice and vehicle for the modern progressive Britain we all believe in. I don't underestimate the challenge, but with your support, it's a challenge we can, must and will win."
Analysis of Electoral Implications
Ms Powell's intervention comes at a critical moment for Labour as the party attempts to regroup following this significant electoral reversal. The suggestion that their most prominent regional figure might have secured victory highlights ongoing debates within Labour about candidate selection, electoral strategy, and connecting with voters.
The Gorton and Denton result represents more than a single by-election loss—it signals potential vulnerabilities in traditional Labour strongholds and raises questions about the party's appeal to progressive voters who may be considering alternatives like the Greens.
