Labour has created a headache for itself by blocking Andy Burnham
The Labour Party has created a headache for itself by blocking Andy Burnham from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election. Not only does this make Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership of the party look insecure but it also opens up the prospect of factional in-fighting.
The PM is widely credited for bringing an unruly party together and quelling dissent. However, that is easy to do when you’re not the party of government. Now, the leadership’s focus can’t be anywhere but dealing with the issues of the day.
A civil war would only further damage the Government’s already damaged image. And by sidelining Burnham, by all accounts the most credible threat to Sir Keir, it will embolden not only those that want to see the back of the PM but also those who wish to see a Government formed of talented politicians to speak out. Prior to Burnham being blocked, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “I very much hope the local party will have the option of selecting Andy Burnham as the candidate.”
By exercising the so-called ‘Burnham rule’ to stop the Mayor of Greater Manchester from running in Gorton and Denton, the party has also potentially created a headache should another metro mayor put their hand up for a Westminster by-election.
For Burnham, this could well be a blessing in disguise. The Gorton and Denton by-election is by no means going to be straightforward for Labour. Losing it would only strengthen support for the Greater Manchester Mayor.
One thing is for sure and that is that the public takes a very dim view of in-fighting. The internal strife at the Tory Party is an object lesson of this.