The mayor of Greater Manchester has launched a stinging attack on Westminster’s political culture, accusing unnamed Labour advisers of dishonesty following his rejection as a parliamentary candidate.
Andy Burnham used a BBC Radio Manchester phone-in to denounce what he described as a long-standing practice where individuals “think they can just lie” when briefing journalists. The comments came after Labour blocked his application to stand in the Gorton and Denton byelection.
Speaking publicly about the matter for the first time in detail, Burnham drew parallels with treatment of other politicians, referencing similar incidents involving Health Secretary Wes Streeting. He traced the pattern back through administrations led by Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Conservative prime ministers from 2010 onwards.
The Greater Manchester mayor connected his criticism to the Hillsborough Law he brought to parliament, which establishes a duty of candour for public servants. He argued that anyone receiving public funding, including political advisers, should not have licence to provide false information.
Burnham stated he could prove the Labour party informed media outlets on Sunday about his candidacy being blocked before notifying him personally. When the party subsequently denied this sequence of events, Burnham said they were not being truthful.
He also challenged a briefing given to ITV’s Robert Peston on Tuesday. A “source close to the PM” told the journalist that Burnham had been warned in advance he would face rejection if he applied, and that submitting an application would constitute an “explicit attempt to destabilise Starmer”. Burnham flatly denied receiving any such warning.
Despite the controversy, Burnham emphasised he was not attributing blame to senior government figures or the prime minister. He confirmed having a constructive conversation with Starmer on Monday about the situation and said he accepted the party’s decision on his candidacy.
During the phone-in, Burnham addressed questions about why he sought to leave his mayoral position when he had indicated in 2024, upon securing his third term, that he would serve the full period. He explained that the growth of Reform UK posed a threat to Greater Manchester’s collaborative political model.
Burnham described what has been built in the region as “truly, truly special”, based on partnerships between people, councils, political parties, the private sector, voluntary organisations and faith communities. He characterised Reform’s approach as divisive politics that pits people against each other.
The mayor revealed he had spoken with senior party figures, including the home secretary, and had requested a conversation with the prime minister to provide assurance that his parliamentary return would not aim to undermine the government or leadership.
Burnham confirmed he would campaign in the Gorton and Denton byelection despite being prevented from standing as the candidate. The date for the byelection has not yet been announced.
