Burnham Labour MP Candidate – By-Election Bid
- Sadiq Khan's former deputy has announced he will stand for labour in the upcoming Feltham and Heston by-election.
- The seat became vacant after the death of Labour MP Alan Keen last month.
- Burnham, who served as shadow health secretary under Ed Miliband, will hope to continue Keen's legacy in the safe Labour seat.
Saturday 24 January 2026 5:38 pm
Burnham to run to be Labor MP in by-election
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Sadiq Khan’s former deputy has announced he will stand for labour in the upcoming Feltham and Heston by-election.
The seat became vacant after the death of Labour MP Alan Keen last month.
Burnham, who served as shadow health secretary under Ed Miliband, will hope to continue Keen’s legacy in the safe Labour seat.
He said: “I am honoured to have been selected as Labour’s candidate for Feltham and Heston.Alan Keen was a dedicated public servant and a friend, and I will do everything I can to build on his work for the people of this constituency.”
The by-election is expected to be held in December. Other parties are yet to announce their candidates.
Gwynne resigned as an MP.
The Manchester Mayor’s submission to stand as a candidate now gives senior Labour figures a fresh headache given his openness around his leadership ambitions.
He has already received the backing to run from London mayor Sadiq Khan and energy secretary Ed Miliband.
In a letter to the chair of Labour’s National Executive Committee, which will give the Manchester mayor permission to apply to stand as an MP, seeking permission to enter the selection process, Burnham said: “In my current job, I have tried to pioneer a different way of doing things with some success.
“But I have learnt in my nine years as mayor that Manchester won’t be able to be everything it should be without similar changes at a national level. This is why I feel the need to go back.
The Boeing 737 MAX Grounding
The Boeing 737 MAX was grounded worldwide between March 2019 and December 2020 following two fatal crashes, and while the aircraft has returned to service, scrutiny and related legal actions continue as of January 24, 2026.
The Crashes and Initial Grounding
The grounding began after Lion Air Flight 610 on October 29, 2018, and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on March 10, 2019, both involving Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in a combined total of 346 fatalities. Investigations revealed a common link: a faulty Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS).
MCAS was designed to automatically push the nose of the aircraft down to prevent stalls, but it relied on input from a single angle of attack (AOA) sensor.In both crashes, a malfunctioning AOA sensor triggered MCAS, repeatedly forcing the nose down, and pilots were unable to regain control. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) preliminary report detailed these findings.
Regulatory Response and Recertification
Following the crashes, the federal Aviation Governance (FAA) grounded the 737 MAX on March 13, 2019. Other countries quickly followed suit.Boeing began developing software updates to address the MCAS issues, including relying on two AOA sensors and limiting the system’s authority.
The FAA conducted a complete review of the 737 MAX and Boeing’s safety assessment processes. On November 18, 2020, the FAA issued an Airworthiness Directive lifting the grounding order, but with specific conditions, including pilot training on the updated MCAS system. The FAA’s MCAS page provides details on the directive and subsequent actions.
Legal and Financial Consequences
Boeing faced numerous lawsuits from families of the victims, as well as investigations from the Department of Justice (DOJ). In January 2021,Boeing agreed to a settlement with the DOJ,paying over $2.5 billion to resolve a criminal charge of conspiracy to defraud the FAA. This settlement included compensation for the families of the victims and a fund for future safety improvements.
As of January 24, 2026, several civil lawsuits remain ongoing, seeking further compensation for damages. the Cornell Law School Legal Data Institute provides background on product liability cases like these.
Current Status (January 24,2026)
The Boeing 737 MAX is currently back in service with moast major airlines worldwide. Though, public confidence remains a concern, and airlines have implemented enhanced pilot training programs.Boeing continues to work on improving its safety culture and processes.
Recent reports indicate increased FAA oversight of Boeing’s manufacturing processes, especially following incidents in early 2024 involving loose bolts on 737 MAX 9 aircraft. The Reuters report from February 29,2024 details the FAA’s increased scrutiny and Boeing’s corrective action plan. As of January 24, 2026, Boeing is operating under heightened FAA supervision and is subject to regular audits and inspections.