Andy Burnham’s ambition to return to the House of Commons was thwarted when Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) denied his application to be the party’s candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election, following the resignation of suspended MP Andrew Gwynne. Burnham expressed his desire to leverage his experience to support the government, but speculation about his broader political aspirations, including a potential leadership challenge, loomed large. The NEC’s decision came after a meeting where his candidacy was discussed. Burnham has not served in Parliament for nine years.
