Andy Burnham, next PM? The big hurdle facing popular mayor

Could Andy Burnham be on the brink of becoming a member of parliament?

After former minister Andrew Gwynne stepped down as a Labour MP, his Gorton and Denton constituency has been touted as a potential seat for the mayor of Greater Manchester.

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Well, he faces a BIG hurdle.

There is a new rule - introduced in the 2026 Labour rule book - about mayors wanting to become an MP.

It says: "Directly Elected Mayors and Police and Crime Commissioners must seek the express permission of the NEC/SEC/WEC (as applicable) before seeking nomination as Labour candidates for the Westminster Parliament.

"The NEC/SEC/WEC's decision shall be final."

Burnham would have to stand down as Manchester mayor, triggering an election for that post - which Labour are not guaranteed to win and will cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.

So, these are the grounds that could be used to block Burnham by Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC).

I'm told Sir Keir Starmer's chief-of-staff Morgan McSweeney thinks he's got the NEC sewn up to block Burnham.

But you never quite know.

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If Burnham is granted permission to apply for the seat, the NEC creates a long and a shortlist.

NEC member Cat Arnold told Sky News there must be a "free and fair selection, at long list and shortlist stage".

"It would be completely unacceptable to gerrymander or unduly narrow the list of potential candidates," she said.

The long list is done over email, then the shortlisting is done by a panel.

The panel has three members of the NEC, one member of the board and a local constituency representative.

The panel is chosen by the office of the general secretary, Hollie Ridley, who is close to McSweeney.

So it's far from clear Burnham wins this.

(c) Sky News 2026: Andy Burnham, next PM? The big hurdle facing popular mayor