Rayner Backs Burnham for Westminsters Leadership

The conference of Labour’s north-west england MPs will see former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner⁣ tell colleagues she is ‌supportive of allowing the mayor of⁢ Greater Manchester to stand in the⁣ Gorton and Denton constituency candidacy race, according to The Times.

Andrew‌ Gwynne, the former MP for the Greater ⁢Manchester seat, ⁣formally quit on Friday, paving the way for a ⁤by-election to take place.

Burnham, long⁢ viewed as a potential rival to the Prime Minister for the Labour leadership, now finds himself facing a short time window⁢ to decide ‌whether to put his name forward to stand as Labour’s candidate for the ‌seat.

Applicants must put their name forward before midnight on Sunday.

andy Burnham Faces Saturday Deadline for Greater Manchester Mayoral Bid

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham must secure approval from‍ Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) by 5:00 PM on Saturday,january 25,2026,to formally enter the‌ race for‍ reelection. This requirement stems from his position as ⁤a regional mayor ⁢and ⁣the need for NEC authorization, according to ⁤reporting by‌ City A.M. on ​January 24, ‍2026.

The Labour NEC, comprised of members​ including ⁤supporters of Labour Leader Keir ⁣Starmer, will ⁤review Burnham’s candidacy. A selection process is scheduled for the following week, culminating in a ⁢hustings and NEC endorsement by Saturday, January 31, 2026.

Burnham Deadline Nears

Several Labour MPs have publicly cautioned against the NEC obstructing Burnham’s candidacy in the Gorton and Denton constituency, as​ reported by City A.M. on January 24,2026.

Simultaneously occurring,senior Labour figures are scheduled to address the​ Fabian Society’s new year conference in London. Speakers include Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, and Deputy Labour Leader Lucy Powell, a Member of Parliament representing Manchester.

On January ⁢24, 2026, Rachel Reeves, the Shadow Chancellor of the​ Exchequer, ​publicly criticized Burnham’s ⁣views ​on bond markets, as reported by City A.M.