Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell has publicly stated that Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham would likely have secured victory in the recent Gorton and Denton by-election, a contest that saw the party plummet to a disappointing third place. The remarks come amid intense scrutiny of Labour's decision to prevent Mr Burnham from standing as their candidate in the previously safe seat.
By-Election Fallout and Internal Reflections
In a significant political upset, Labour lost its long-held stronghold of Gorton and Denton on Thursday, with the Green Party clinching their fifth parliamentary seat and Reform UK finishing in second position. This unexpected outcome has reignited debates within Labour ranks regarding the strategic choice to block Mr Burnham's candidacy, a move that has drawn criticism from various quarters.
Powell's Candid Assessment on Newscast Podcast
Speaking frankly on the BBC's Newscast podcast, Ms Powell conceded that Mr Burnham "probably would have" retained the seat for Labour. She elaborated that the Green Party's aggressive campaign tactics would likely have been less effective had the popular mayor been on the ballot. "I think certainly the Greens wouldn't have gone after the seat in the same way that they did," she observed, highlighting the strategic implications of candidate selection.
Notably, Ms Powell was the sole member of Labour's powerful national executive committee (NEC) to vote in favour of allowing Mr Burnham to contest the by-election. Eight other committee members, including party leader Sir Keir Starmer, opposed the motion. Despite her dissenting vote, Ms Powell emphasised her acceptance of "collective responsibility" for the final decision, citing concerns about triggering a separate mayoral by-election in Greater Manchester as a key factor.
Drawing Inspiration from Burnham's Popularity
Ms Powell urged her party to carefully examine the foundations of Mr Burnham's widespread appeal in the Greater Manchester region. She noted that voters "see in him someone who is on their side, someone who is delivering those Labour values and those Labour policies" in a tangible manner. This connection, she argued, offers valuable lessons for the national party.
"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," Ms Powell stated. She revealed that she has discussed this matter extensively with Sir Keir Starmer both before and after the by-election, confirming that the leader is "very focused" on incorporating these insights into the party's broader strategy.
Leadership Responses and Political Ramifications
Andy Burnham has yet to publicly comment on the Gorton and Denton by-election result. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to continue leading the party forward despite acknowledging the "disappointing" outcome. The loss has undoubtedly intensified pressure on Labour's leadership to reassess its approach ahead of future electoral contests.
Warning Against a Leftward Shift
In a separate development, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to caution against any move to the political left in response to the by-election setback. This warning will coincide with her introduction of new legislation proposing stricter immigration measures next week. A source close to the Home Secretary informed the Times newspaper that "the Labour Government should not learn the wrong lessons from its recent by-election loss."
The source further contested the notion that Labour is losing support among Muslim voters due to its immigration policies, stating bluntly that "the idea that we are losing Muslim voters over immigration is just plain wrong." This perspective highlights ongoing internal discussions about the party's positioning and voter coalition management in the wake of electoral challenges.
