'Beginning of the end of Keir Starmer!' Labour civil war erupts after Andy Burnham barred from standing as MP
A civil war has erupted within the Labour Party following the news that Andy Burnham has been barred from standing as an MP.
Eight out of ten members of the Labour National Executive Committee (NEC), including Sir Keir Starmer, voted against the Mayor of Greater Manchester running for the seat vacated by outgoing MP Andrew Gwynne.
Former Cabinet minister Louise Haigh said the decision was "incredibly disappointing" and called for the NEC to "change course and make the right decision".
One Labour backbencher described the move as "a total sh**show" and "utter nonsense", believing the party would now lose the Gorton and Denton by-election.
Labour MP Richard Burgon called for an "emergency NEC meeting", accusing the party leadership of being prepared to lose a by-election to protect "factional interests".
Mr Burgon, who is secretary of the Socialist Campaign Group of MPs, said: "Keir Starmer and his clique have shown they're prepared to lose Gorton and Denton to Reform - just to protect narrow factional interests.
"It's weak leadership - and will only deepen the crisis the party is in. There should now be an emergency NEC meeting to resolve this mess."
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