Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has firmly stated that his attempt to stand in a parliamentary by-election was never intended to "undermine" Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's authority. Speaking candidly during a BBC Radio Manchester phone-in, Burnham addressed the controversy surrounding his blocked candidacy and launched a pointed critique of the "stock-in-trade" culture of anonymous political briefings in Westminster.
Blocked Candidacy and Clarifications
Mr Burnham was prevented from standing in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election by Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC), a ten-member panel that included the Prime Minister himself. The decision was reportedly based on concerns about the costs of triggering a new mayoral election in Greater Manchester and fears that Reform UK could potentially seize the mayoralty in his absence.
In the aftermath, anonymous briefings suggested Burnham had been forewarned about the NEC's likely rejection. Both Burnham and Starmer have categorically denied this version of events, confirming they spoke directly on Monday to clear the air and address any misunderstandings.
"I Wasn't Coming In to Undermine Him"
During the radio interview, Burnham revealed he specifically requested to speak with the Prime Minister to reinforce a key point from his application letter. "I wanted to assure him... that I wasn't coming in to undermine him or the Government," he explained. "I was coming in to see if I could contribute, because some of the things I know are holding Greater Manchester back are problems at that level."
Describing their Monday conversation as a "fair exchange," Burnham expressed satisfaction at having the opportunity to voice his perspective directly. He maintained that his candidacy would have created a "more positive path for everybody, including the Prime Minister, including the Government."
Condemnation of Westminster Briefing Culture
Burnham then turned his attention to what he described as a pervasive and damaging culture within Westminster politics. He asserted that "anybody paid by the public purse does not get licence to lie," directly challenging the practice of unattributed media briefings.
"There are always in politics – I saw it around Tony Blair, I saw it around Gordon Brown, I saw it around the Conservative prime ministers from the 2010s onwards – where some people just think they can say what they like to the media," he observed. He argued the primary motive behind such briefings is to "denigrate the character, impugn the integrity of elected politicians."
As a recent example, he cited the anonymous briefings against Health Secretary Wes Streeting, which were reportedly sparked by suggestions he could be a potential challenger to Starmer's leadership. Burnham labelled this tactic as emblematic of Westminster's problematic norms.
The Reform UK Challenge and Local Concerns
The political context of the Gorton and Denton seat adds significant weight to the situation. Since the resignation of former MP Andrew Gwynne, speculation has intensified that Reform UK could capture the constituency, which Labour held with 51% of the vote in the 2024 general election. Meanwhile, the Green Party, under leader Zack Polanski, is positioning itself as the primary alternative for voters seeking to block Reform's advance.
Burnham contended he was uniquely positioned to counter this threat. "I believed I was probably in a better position than anybody to fight back against that," he told the BBC, suggesting his local profile and experience would have been assets in the campaign.
During the phone-in, several members of the public expressed concerns that his by-election bid indicated a waning focus on his mayoral duties. Burnham acknowledged the strength of their feelings but countered that he had not disengaged, pointing to his attendance at a sports event in Oldham on Monday as evidence of his ongoing commitment. "Hopefully I've shown that I have not taken my bat and ball home," he remarked.
Wider Political Reactions
As Prime Minister Starmer travelled to China, he confirmed speaking with Burnham on both Monday and Tuesday following the NEC ruling. Starmer praised Burnham as an "excellent" mayor and highlighted Greater Manchester as one of the UK's "flagship devolution stories."
From the opposition benches, Conservative shadow policing minister Matt Vickers disputed the narrative that the by-election is merely a contest between Labour and Reform UK. "We will be putting forward a fantastic local candidate, and we'll be fighting for every vote," Vickers told the Press Association. He urged voters seeking stronger borders, a robust economy, and resolute leadership to consider the Conservative option, stating, "We're the guys who are on the side of those who work hard."
The episode underscores ongoing tensions within the Labour Party regarding candidate selection, the challenges posed by Reform UK in traditional Labour areas, and the persistent internal criticism of Westminster's media briefing culture, which Burnham has now brought sharply into public focus.
