Andy Burnham has cleared the first hurdle in his bid to return to Parliament, as Labour's governing body approved his request to participate in the candidate selection process for the upcoming Makerfield byelection. The Greater Manchester mayor, who still has two years left in his current term, now requires formal selection by local party members to stand for the seat.
NEC Approval and Leadership Speculation
Under Labour rules, sitting mayors must obtain permission from the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) to seek a Westminster seat. The NEC's officers agreed by email to approve any waiver request from Burnham, even before he formally applied. If successful in the byelection, Burnham is widely expected to challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership, a move that would require the backing of 81 Labour MPs, or 20% of the parliamentary party.
The decision marks a sharp reversal from February, when the NEC rejected Burnham's bid to stand in the Gorton and Denton byelection, citing the cost and destabilization of a mayoral byelection. This time, the committee's stance changed after sitting Makerfield MP Josh Simons announced he would vacate the seat to facilitate Burnham's potential path to Downing Street.
Selection Process Timeline
The application window for the Makerfield seat opened immediately on Friday and closes at noon on Monday. Due diligence checks and a selection panel longlisting will conclude the same day. Shortlisting interviews are set for Tuesday, followed by hustings, with the NEC's endorsement scheduled for 21 May. A Labour spokesperson confirmed: "Labour's ruling body, the national executive committee has today given permission to Andy Burnham to stand in the candidate selection process in the forthcoming byelection for the Makerfield constituency."
Reactions and Support
An NEC member told the Guardian: "Regardless of where people stand on the recent events in the party, we have got this byelection and he is our best shot of winning it, so we need to get behind him." Former health secretary Wes Streeting also backed Burnham, stating Labour needs "our best players on the pitch." Rupa Huq, Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton, called the NEC's decision "right," adding: "Party democracy must be allowed to thrive. Our members who pay their subs deserve respect and final say."
The byelection will also trigger a mayoral contest in Greater Manchester, as Burnham would need to resign if elected to Parliament. This development has reignited discussions about Labour's leadership dynamics and the party's electoral strategy.
