Labour's deputy leader has publicly stated that Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham would likely have secured victory in the recent Gorton and Denton by-election, a contest where the party unexpectedly fell to third place. Lucy Powell made these remarks during an interview on the BBC's Newscast podcast, highlighting internal party debates over candidate selection and strategic direction.
By-Election Results Spark Internal Labour Scrutiny
The by-election held on Thursday delivered a surprising outcome, with the Green Party capturing the previously safe Labour seat, marking their fifth parliamentary win. Reform UK secured second position, while Labour trailed in third, prompting immediate questions about the party's decision-making processes. This result has intensified scrutiny over Labour's choice to prevent Burnham from standing as a candidate in the constituency.
Powell's Stance on Burnham's Candidacy
Lucy Powell revealed she was the sole member of Labour's national executive committee (NEC) to vote in favor of allowing Burnham to contest the seat. Eight other members, including party leader Sir Keir Starmer, opposed the move. Powell cited concerns about triggering a mayoral by-election in Greater Manchester as a key factor in the collective decision, which she accepted under the principle of collective responsibility.
"I think certainly the Greens wouldn't have gone after the seat in the same way that they did," Powell asserted, suggesting Burnham's local popularity could have deterred competitive challenges. She emphasized that voters perceive Burnham as "someone who is on their side, someone who is delivering those Labour values and those Labour policies," urging the party to learn from his approach.
Call for Strategic Reflection and Utilization of Burnham
Powell called for Labour to actively draw inspiration from Burnham's successful model of governance in Greater Manchester, advocating for better integration of his strategies at the national level. "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," she explained.
She noted that Sir Keir Starmer has been "very focused" on this objective, based on numerous discussions both before and after the by-election. However, Burnham has remained silent on the election outcome, while Starmer has vowed to continue fighting despite acknowledging the "disappointing" result.
Broader Political Reactions and Immigration Debate
In the wake of the by-election, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to caution against a leftward shift in Labour's policies. She plans to introduce legislation for stricter immigration measures next week, countering suggestions that the party's stance on immigration is driving away Muslim voters.
A source close to Mahmood told The Times, "The Labour Government should not learn the wrong lessons from its recent by-election loss. The idea that we are losing Muslim voters over immigration is just plain wrong." This statement underscores ongoing internal tensions within Labour as it navigates electoral setbacks and policy directions.
The Gorton and Denton by-election has thus become a focal point for broader discussions about Labour's electoral strategy, candidate selection, and policy alignment, with Powell's comments highlighting the potential impact of Burnham's involvement on the outcome.
