Suspended Labour MP Andrew Gwynne has declared his intention to step down from his position in the House of Commons, potentially opening the door for Andy Burnham to make a comeback to Westminster.
Last year, Gwynne, a former health minister, was dismissed from his ministerial role and faced suspension from the Labour Party due to inappropriate messages found in a WhatsApp group named Trigger Me Timbers.
In a recent announcement, Gwynne cited medical reasons for his decision to resign from his parliamentary seat, sparking speculation within the Labour Party that Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, might consider running in the ensuing by-election, possibly challenging Keir Starmer’s leadership.
Andy Burnham expressed surprise at Gwynne’s resignation and emphasized his dedication to his current role as Greater Manchester Mayor, pointing to his recent initiatives like the reindustrialization plan.
Should Burnham opt to participate in a by-election, he would require approval from the National Executive Committee, the Labour Party’s governing body, which is generally aligned with Starmer. However, there were early indications that blocking Burnham’s candidacy could provoke backlash as seen in statements from the Fire Brigades Union.
Labour leader Keir Starmer refrained from explicitly endorsing Burnham’s potential candidacy, highlighting their successful collaborations in Manchester and acknowledging Burnham’s positive relationship with the current government.
Gwynne, in his statement, alluded to his health struggles exacerbated by last year’s events and indicated his pursuit of a traditional procedure known as the office of Crown Steward of the Manor of Northstead to vacate his seat, paving the way for an upcoming by-election in Gorton and Denton.
A Labour spokesperson expressed anticipation for local residents to soon have a new Labour representative in Gorton and Denton, emphasizing the importance of electing a champion dedicated to addressing local issues like the cost of living, healthcare access, and economic growth.