"On its own terms, Keir Starmer's faction blocking Andy Burnham from standing in the upcoming Gorton and Denton byelection is perfectly rational. It is screamingly obvious that the mayor of Greater Manchester sought a return to Westminster so that he could overthrow the prime minister, once Labour is battered in the May elections. Burnham promised he would be there to support the work of the government, not undermine it."
"The key argument cited for blocking Burnham is the risk of Labour losing Greater Manchester's mayoralty to Reform UK. Just sit with that for a moment. In May 2024, Burnham won more than 63% of the vote. Reform came fourth with 7.5%. If defeat in a core Labour heartland is even remotely plausible, then Labour's existence as a national political force is already in doubt."
"After all, as it was claimed they bragged to journalists a year ago, they see the prime minister as their frontman: a useful idiot who thinks he's driving the train, while actually sitting at the front of London's driverless Docklands Light Railway. It was reported that they settled on a man who wanted the premiership for its own sake a blank canvas they could paint as they pleased."
Keir Starmer's faction blocked Andy Burnham from standing in the Gorton and Denton byelection to prevent a perceived return to Westminster aimed at undermining or overthrowing the prime minister if Labour performs poorly in May. The decision serves factional survival but risks damaging the wider Labour party and alienating progressive supporters. The faction is portrayed as viewing the prime minister as a frontman — a "useful idiot" positioned to be steered — and as having selected leadership they could shape as a "blank canvas." The chief public justification was fear of losing the Greater Manchester mayoralty, despite Burnham's prior 63% vote share versus Reform UK's 7.5%.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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