Angela's lashes

I see that former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has let it be known that she does not want Andy Burnham to be prevented from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election! This has great significance for what will happen today,

According to a report first carried by The Times, Rayner is expected to set out her position publicly at Labour’s North West regional conference later today. If Burnham chose to run and won the Greater Manchester by-election, it would then put him in a position to launch the likely leadership challenge against Sir Keir Starmer.​

It appears that some of Sir Keir’s allies on Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) intend to try to stop Burnham from becoming the candidate. Burnham has until 5pm today to inform the NEC whether he wants to stand, and will then learn on Sunday if he has been given the go-ahead. Under Labour rules, elected mayors must secure NEC permission before seeking nomination as Labour parliamentary candidates.​ So it all comes down to the NEC!

Who sits on the NEC? Here is the list and their known sympathies.

Shabana Mahmood - Pro Starmer
Keir Starmer
Lucy Powell - pro Burnham
Ellie Reeves
Keiran O'Neil (GMB) pro Rayner
Tom Williams (USDAW) pro Rayner
Peter Wheeler
Mike Payne
Abdi Duale -pro Starmer
Gurdiner Singh Josan - pro Starmer

The by-election itself could take place as early as next month, following the formal resignation of former Labour minister Andrew Gwynne. He has said he was standing down from the Commons on the advice of his GP not to return to work.

Burnham has not publicly said whether he will seek the seat, telling reporters he remained focused on his role as Greater Manchester mayor. However we all know that he desperately wants to be Leader of the Labour Party and the next Prime minister. Rayner will support his bid to get a run at this and then it should be game on.