Sunday 25 January 2026 9:38 am
| Updated:
Sunday 25 January 2026 9:39 am
The Labour government’s home secretary refused to rule out blocking Andy Burnham from standing as the party’s candidate in the forthcoming by-election in the North West.
Shabana Mahmood, who chairs the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), said there would “no doubt be a discussion” about an all-women shortlist – a move that would see the Manchester mayor blocked from standing.
The party sometimes has [an] all-women shortlist,” Mahmood told Sky News.
“Of course, you can’t by law have an all ethnic minority shortlist… But that’s not the decision for today.”
She added today the NEC “will be deciding one question – which is Andy, as a metro mayor at the moment, has sought permission to stand in the by-election.”
“Under our Labour Party rules, anybody who is a mayor or a police and crime commissioner, if they want to run for a different political office, such as member of parliament, they do have to seek permission from the national executive.”
Take Burnham’s pledge not to undermine Starmer at his word, says Mahmood
Table of Contents
- 1. Take Burnham’s pledge not to undermine Starmer at his word, says Mahmood
- 2. Similarly tagged content:
- 3. Sections
- 4. Categories
- 5. People & Organisations
- 6. What legal powers does the Home Secretary have to potentially block Andy Burnham’s mayoral by‑election?
- 7. Home Secretary Doesn’t Rule Out Blocking Burnham’s By-Election Bid: What You Need to Know
- 8. The Context: Burnham’s Potential Resignation & The By-Election Trigger
- 9. the Home Secretary’s Position: A Delicate Balancing Act
- 10. Legal Challenges and Precedents
- 11. Implications for Devolution and Regional Governance
- 12. Burnham’s Response and Political Fallout
- 13. What Happens Next? Key Dates and Potential Scenarios
It comes after Burnham issued a letter to the NEC on Saturday regarding his intentions to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election.
“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…” Burnham, who was an MP from 2001 to 2017, said.
He added his role in returning would be to use his “experience to help[thegovernment[togofurtherandfaster”[thegovernment[togofurtherandfaster”
“I would be there to support the work of the government, not undermine it, and I have passed on this assurance to the Prime Minister,” he said.
Mahmood praised Burnham as a “fantastic mayor” on Sunday adding she “appreciated the letter”.
The Birmingham Ladywood MP said Burnham should be taken “at his words” that he is not seeking to sow disruption to Starmer’s government.
The political tension will add further pressure to bond markets, which modestly edged up on the speculation of an Andy Burnham return to government.
The mayor said the UK was “in a low growth doom loop” and “our shallow, adversarial political system has shown itself incapable of lifting us out of it and it only adds to the volatility, so we do find ourselves stuck in a rut and in hock to the bond markets”.
He also called for “business-friendly socialism” to be introduced in government while advocating for greater public ownership across various sectors including water and rail.
What legal powers does the Home Secretary have to potentially block Andy Burnham’s mayoral by‑election?
Home Secretary Doesn’t Rule Out Blocking Burnham’s By-Election Bid: What You Need to Know
The political landscape is heating up as the Home Secretary has declined to definitively dismiss the possibility of intervening to prevent a by-election triggered by Andy Burnham’s potential resignation as Greater Manchester’s Mayor.This development raises critically important questions about mayoral powers,parliamentary sovereignty,and the potential for government overreach in regional governance.
The Context: Burnham’s Potential Resignation & The By-Election Trigger
Andy Burnham has publicly hinted at potentially resigning from his mayoral position to contest a parliamentary seat, specifically the upcoming by-election in Leigh following the resignation of Jo Platt. This move,while strategically sound for Burnham,presents a complex legal and political challenge.A resignation would necessitate a by-election for the mayoral role, a costly and disruptive process for Greater Manchester.
The core issue revolves around whether the Home Secretary possesses the authority to block a mayoral by-election in such circumstances. Existing legislation governing combined authorities and mayoral roles is open to interpretation, creating a gray area the government may attempt to exploit.
the Home Secretary’s Position: A Delicate Balancing Act
Speaking to the BBC on January 24th, 2026, the Home Secretary stated that “all options are on the table” when pressed about potentially using powers to delay or prevent the by-election. This carefully worded response has been interpreted by many as a signal that the government is seriously considering intervention.
The justification offered centers around concerns about the financial burden of holding both a parliamentary and mayoral by-election together, and also the potential disruption to ongoing regional projects. Critics, though, argue this is a thinly veiled attempt to prevent Burnham – a prominent critic of the government – from gaining a foothold in Westminster.
Legal Challenges and Precedents
The legality of blocking a democratically mandated by-election is highly contested. Legal experts suggest the Home Secretary would likely face a swift and robust judicial review.
* potential Legal Grounds for Challenge: Any intervention could be challenged on grounds of undermining democratic principles, exceeding statutory powers, and potentially being politically motivated.
* Past Precedents: Ther are limited precedents for a central government directly blocking a local by-election.Previous instances have typically involved concerns about electoral fraud or security, not political considerations.
* the Role of the Electoral Commission: The Electoral Commission would likely be drawn into any dispute, offering guidance on the legality and fairness of the process.
Implications for Devolution and Regional Governance
This situation highlights the ongoing tensions within the UK’s devolution framework. The potential for central government intervention raises essential questions about the autonomy of elected mayors and combined authorities.
* Erosion of Trust: Blocking a by-election could severely damage trust between central government and regional leaders.
* Impact on Future Devolution Deals: The incident could discourage othre regions from pursuing greater devolved powers, fearing similar interference.
* Strengthening Calls for Constitutional Reform: The controversy is highly likely to fuel calls for a thorough review of the UK’s constitutional arrangements, clarifying the powers and responsibilities of different levels of government.
Burnham’s Response and Political Fallout
Andy Burnham has responded to the Home Secretary’s comments with strong criticism, accusing the government of attempting to “silence the voice of the people.” He has vowed to fight any attempt to block the by-election, framing it as a defense of local democracy.
The Labor Party has rallied around Burnham, condemning the government’s stance as “anti-democratic” and “heavy-handed.” The Liberal Democrats have also expressed concerns, calling for clarity on the legal basis for any potential intervention.
What Happens Next? Key Dates and Potential Scenarios
The coming weeks will be crucial. Hear’s a potential timeline:
- Burnham’s Decision: Andy Burnham is expected to announce his decision regarding his resignation within the next seven days.
- Home Office Review: The Home Office is likely to conduct a rapid review of the legal options available to the Home Secretary.
- Potential Legal Challenge: If the Home Secretary attempts to block the by-election, a legal challenge is almost certain to follow.
- By-Election Date (If Allowed): If the by-election proceeds, it is expected to be held within the statutory timeframe of 35-40 days following burnham’s resignation.
This developing story will undoubtedly continue to shape the political debate surrounding devolution, regional governance, and the balance of power between central and local authorities. The outcome will have significant implications for the future of the UK’s political landscape.
