Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Majority of Manchester Voters Reject Labour's Burnham Block

1/26/2026

50 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

62% of Manchester voters oppose Labour's decision to block Andy Burnham (Mayor of Greater Manchester) from running in Gorton and Denton by-election.
54% say it is wrong for Labour to prevent Burnham's candidacy.
50% view the decision as a sign of weakness by party leadership.
If Burnham were allowed to run, Labour's support could rise to 32%, from 15%.
National Executive Committee (NEC) is mounting pressure to reconsider its stance.

History

Historical Context

The Labour Party's internal strife intensified after Jeremy Corbyn's election as leader in September 2015, where he garnered 59.5% of the vote. Following a no-confidence vote in July 2016, where 172 MPs opposed him, tensions persisted, culminating in Manchester voters' resistance to blocking Andy Burnham. This reflects ongoing challenges within Labour regarding unity and candidate selection in a shifting political landscape.

1 of 2

Story summary

62% of Manchester voters oppose Labour's decision to block Andy Burnham (Mayor of Greater Manchester) from running in Gorton and Denton by-election.
54% say it is wrong for Labour to prevent Burnham's candidacy.
50% view the decision as a sign of weakness by party leadership.
If Burnham were allowed to run, Labour's support could rise to 32%, from 15%.
National Executive Committee (NEC) is mounting pressure to reconsider its stance.

1 / 2