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Self-reliant MP Andrew Gwynne is to retire from parliament, creating an opening for Greater Manchester mayor andy Burnham to stage a Westminster comeback and challenge Sir Keir Starmer.
The Gorton and Denton MP, who was suspended by Labor almost a year ago following leaked WhatsApp messages, has agreed to stand down, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.
His decision will mean a by-election will be held in the Greater Manchester seat, which Gwynne won in 2024 with a 13,000-vote majority.It will also fuel speculation that Burnham, long seen as a likely challenger to Starmer’s premiership, may have a route back to Westminster.
The gilt market weakened on Thursday morning as investors responded to the growing political risk, pushing the 10-year gilt yield up 0.04 percentage points to 4.50 per cent.
Fund managers are wary of Burnham, who has said the government should not be “in hock” to the bond markets, a sentiment he reiterated as recently as this week.
several high-profile Labour figures are thought to fancy their chances as the next party leader, and therefore prime minister, given the party’s huge majority in the house of Commons.
contenders are likely to include former deputy prime minister Angela rayner and health secretary Wes Streeting,as well as Burnham,who needs to be a serving Labour MP to run for the party’s leadership.
Burnham’s key hurdle in standing would be Labour’s National Executive Committee, which decides who will be the party’s candidate and whether he could stand without quitting as mayor.
One well-placed Labour figure said a leadership election could be triggered by Burnham’s opponents before he is in a position to stand.
“It’s wrong to think the only thing thay can do is keep [Burnham] off the shortlist,” he said of any attempts to block the Greater Manchester mayor’s return.The prospect of Burnham returning to Westminster would not be universally welcomed by Labour MPs, with many believing the possibility would be a distraction before Scottish, Welsh and local elections in May.
Some also remain nervous about how Burnham might govern, notably in light of his comments about the bond markets.One Labour MP said: “It won’t necessarily be straightforward for Andy if he goes for it. Reform will put up a good candidate and it would be 100 per cent humiliating if Andy loses there.”
They also raised questions over whether he would get selected to contest the seat or – given Labour’s dire standing in the polls – be confident of actually winning a by-election.
“The last thing the Labour Party needs is more distraction and division from someone who has shown he is only interested in his own title, position and profile,” another Labour MP said.
“Burnham might think he’s a white knight riding to the rescue but the reality is he’s a distraction that will only help our opponents.”
Gwynne was suspended from Labour last February after leaked messages showed him insulting a constituent.
Since then, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards has not confirmed what sanction, if any, will be applied to him.
Gwynne did not immediately respond to a request for comment. His parliamentary office did not deny that he is about to quit.
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