"Andy Burnham has not given up hopes of returning to Westminster and will try again, allies say, but would need to be convinced that Keir Starmer would not try to block him again before running. The Greater Manchester mayor's hopes of an imminent return to parliament appeared remote, however, as No 10 sources suggested that relations between the two men were at a low ebb and played down chances of a rapprochement."
"As the leadership tried to defuse the anger, Starmer himself defended the decision to prevent Burnham running in the Gorton and Denton byelection next month, a move that triggered a major backlash against the prime minister from sections of his own party. Starmer is understood to have offered to support Burnham running for another seat in the north-west of England in 2027, nearer the end of his mayoralty,"
Andy Burnham remains intent on returning to Westminster but will only run if assured Keir Starmer will not block his candidacy. Relations between Burnham and Starmer are strained and a rapprochement appears unlikely according to No 10 sources. Starmer defended blocking Burnham from standing in the Gorton and Denton byelection, prompting backlash within Labour. Starmer reportedly offered to support Burnham for a north-west seat in 2027, closer to the end of his mayoral term, when the voting system would favor Labour; Burnham rejected the proposal and feels bruised and disappointed. Some supporters say MPs should have fought harder to secure his candidacy.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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