Labour MPs urge reversal of Burnham by-election ban
About 50 Labour MPs signed a letter to Keir Starmer objecting to the NEC's ruling blocking Andy Burnham from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election, saying the move could hand Reform UK a boost and that Burnham might be Labour's best chance to win the seat; Starmer defended focusing resources on other elections, while Burnham would need to return to Parliament to mount a leadership challenge; the NEC decision comes after Labour won the seat in 2024 by around 13,000 votes, with Reform UK and Greens expected to challenge.