Sir Keir Starmer explains why Andy Burnham can’t run for MP amid local election fears

The Prime Minister has revealed the key reason he has blocked Andy Burnham from running as an MP.

Sir Keir Starmer praised Mr Burnham for his work as Greater Manchester mayor but has ruled out allowing him to stand for a Westminster seat.

Sir Keir said while Mr Burnham is “doing a great job” locally, a parliamentary bid could "divert resources" from Labour’s campaigns in May’s local elections.

The Prime Minister insisted the “battle of our times” is between Labour and Reform UK, not within his own party.

Speaking to reporters today, The Prime Minister said: "We have really important elections already across England for local councils, very important elections in Wales for the government there, and very important elections in Scotland for the Scottish government that will affect millions of people.

“And we’re out campaigning on the cost of living, and they’re very important elections. We need all of our focus on those elections.

“Andy Burnham’s doing a great job as the Mayor of Manchester, but having an election for the Mayor of Manchester when it’s not necessary would divert our resources away from the elections that we must have, that we must fight and win, and resources, whether that’s money or people, need to be focused on the elections that we must have, not elections that we don’t have to have.

“And that was the basis of the NEC decision."

More to follow...