Newslinks for Monday 26th January 2026
Trust is earned, not demanded.
Labour war as Starmer blocks Burnham bid to be MP
“Labour MPs are in open revolt against Sir Keir Starmer after he oversaw a “stitch-up” that blocked Andy Burnham from returning to Parliament. Loyalists on the ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) voted on Sunday to bar the Mayor of Greater Manchester from standing in an upcoming by-election, preventing him from becoming an MP and potentially challenging the Prime Minister’s leadership. Sir Keir’s allies claimed they did not want Mr Burnham to run for the Gorton and Denton seat because it would lead to a contest for the mayoralty that Reform could win. But the move unleashed a civil war as furious backbenchers demanded another about-turn from the Prime Minister. It was described as “completely outrageous”, “disgusting”, a “huge mistake” and “incredibly disappointing” by Labour MPs, many of whom went public with their anger. A letter circulating among backbenchers claimed that the decision amounted to a “remote stitch-up from a small group of people at the very top in London”. It is understood that Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister and a leading figure on the Left of the party, also considers the decision to be a mistake. Mr Burnham said he was disappointed and suggested the ban would harm Labour’s election chances. He also criticised the NEC for telling reporters the outcome before him, adding: “You would think that over 30 years of service would count for something but sadly not.” But while Mr Burnham himself appeared to accept the decision on Sunday night, supportive Labour MPs were plotting to force the Prime Minister to reconsider.” – Daily Telegraph
Labour MPs revolt after Andy Burnham is blocked from standing as MP – The Times
Starmer faces Labour civil war after blocking Burnham – as allies fear Streeting bid – The i
Lame duck Starmer has ‘only hastened his demise’ after he personally helped block Burnham’s return – Daily Mail
Embattled Starmer ‘led from front’ in blocking Burnham’s takeover plot giving 3 reasons to stop rival’s MP bid – The Sun
How Keir Starmer dashed Andy Burnham’s hopes of returning as an MP – The Times
Comment:
Keir Starmer can block Andy Burnham but can’t save his premiership – Patrick Maguire, The Times
The Labour Party is forcing the nation to live through its messy divorce – Tim Stanley, Daily Telegraph
By blocking Burnham, Starmer has made the biggest mistake of his premiership and sealed his fate. This is what will happen next… – Dan Hodges, Daily Mail
Blocking Andy Burnham betrays more weakness – Trevor Phillips, The Times
Labour can reverse its decision to block Andy Burnham. Here is why it must – Neal Lawson, The Guardian
All hapless, loathed Starmer has done by blocking Burnham’s by-election bid is to delay his day of execution – …
Trust is earned, not demanded.
Labour war as Starmer blocks Burnham bid to be MP
“Labour MPs are in open revolt against Sir Keir Starmer after he oversaw a “stitch-up” that blocked Andy Burnham from returning to Parliament. Loyalists on the ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) voted on Sunday to bar the Mayor of Greater Manchester from standing in an upcoming by-election, preventing him from becoming an MP and potentially challenging the Prime Minister’s leadership. Sir Keir’s allies claimed they did not want Mr Burnham to run for the Gorton and Denton seat because it would lead to a contest for the mayoralty that Reform could win. But the move unleashed a civil war as furious backbenchers demanded another about-turn from the Prime Minister. It was described as “completely outrageous”, “disgusting”, a “huge mistake” and “incredibly disappointing” by Labour MPs, many of whom went public with their anger. A letter circulating among backbenchers claimed that the decision amounted to a “remote stitch-up from a small group of people at the very top in London”. It is understood that Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister and a leading figure on the Left of the party, also considers the decision to be a mistake. Mr Burnham said he was disappointed and suggested the ban would harm Labour’s election chances. He also criticised the NEC for telling reporters the outcome before him, adding: “You would think that over 30 years of service would count for something but sadly not.” But while Mr Burnham himself appeared to accept the decision on Sunday night, supportive Labour MPs were plotting to force the Prime Minister to reconsider.” – Daily Telegraph
Labour MPs revolt after Andy Burnham is blocked from standing as MP – The Times
Starmer faces Labour civil war after blocking Burnham – as allies fear Streeting bid – The i
Lame duck Starmer has ‘only hastened his demise’ after he personally helped block Burnham’s return – Daily Mail
Embattled Starmer ‘led from front’ in blocking Burnham’s takeover plot giving 3 reasons to stop rival’s MP bid – The Sun
How Keir Starmer dashed Andy Burnham’s hopes of returning as an MP – The Times
Comment:
Keir Starmer can block Andy Burnham but can’t save his premiership – Patrick Maguire, The Times
The Labour Party is forcing the nation to live through its messy divorce – Tim Stanley, Daily Telegraph
By blocking Burnham, Starmer has made the biggest mistake of his premiership and sealed his fate. This is what will happen next… – Dan Hodges, Daily Mail
Blocking Andy Burnham betrays more weakness – Trevor Phillips, The Times
Labour can reverse its decision to block Andy Burnham. Here is why it must – Neal Lawson, The Guardian
All hapless, loathed Starmer has done by blocking Burnham’s by-election bid is to delay his day of execution – …
Newslinks for Monday 26th January 2026
Trust is earned, not demanded.
Labour war as Starmer blocks Burnham bid to be MP
“Labour MPs are in open revolt against Sir Keir Starmer after he oversaw a “stitch-up” that blocked Andy Burnham from returning to Parliament. Loyalists on the ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) voted on Sunday to bar the Mayor of Greater Manchester from standing in an upcoming by-election, preventing him from becoming an MP and potentially challenging the Prime Minister’s leadership. Sir Keir’s allies claimed they did not want Mr Burnham to run for the Gorton and Denton seat because it would lead to a contest for the mayoralty that Reform could win. But the move unleashed a civil war as furious backbenchers demanded another about-turn from the Prime Minister. It was described as “completely outrageous”, “disgusting”, a “huge mistake” and “incredibly disappointing” by Labour MPs, many of whom went public with their anger. A letter circulating among backbenchers claimed that the decision amounted to a “remote stitch-up from a small group of people at the very top in London”. It is understood that Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister and a leading figure on the Left of the party, also considers the decision to be a mistake. Mr Burnham said he was disappointed and suggested the ban would harm Labour’s election chances. He also criticised the NEC for telling reporters the outcome before him, adding: “You would think that over 30 years of service would count for something but sadly not.” But while Mr Burnham himself appeared to accept the decision on Sunday night, supportive Labour MPs were plotting to force the Prime Minister to reconsider.” – Daily Telegraph
Labour MPs revolt after Andy Burnham is blocked from standing as MP – The Times
Starmer faces Labour civil war after blocking Burnham – as allies fear Streeting bid – The i
Lame duck Starmer has ‘only hastened his demise’ after he personally helped block Burnham’s return – Daily Mail
Embattled Starmer ‘led from front’ in blocking Burnham’s takeover plot giving 3 reasons to stop rival’s MP bid – The Sun
How Keir Starmer dashed Andy Burnham’s hopes of returning as an MP – The Times
Comment:
Keir Starmer can block Andy Burnham but can’t save his premiership – Patrick Maguire, The Times
The Labour Party is forcing the nation to live through its messy divorce – Tim Stanley, Daily Telegraph
By blocking Burnham, Starmer has made the biggest mistake of his premiership and sealed his fate. This is what will happen next… – Dan Hodges, Daily Mail
Blocking Andy Burnham betrays more weakness – Trevor Phillips, The Times
Labour can reverse its decision to block Andy Burnham. Here is why it must – Neal Lawson, The Guardian
All hapless, loathed Starmer has done by blocking Burnham’s by-election bid is to delay his day of execution – …
0 Comments
0 Shares
192 Views
0 Reviews
