Labour MPs divided over potential Andy Burnham return

There are two questions that everyone in Westminster has been asking since former Labour minister Andrew Gwynne announced he was quitting as an MP this week.

"Will Andy stand?" and "Will Keir let him?".

A by-election in Gwynne's Gorton and Denton constituency has given Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham a possible route back to Parliament, should allies of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on the party's executive committee allow him to run.

The BBC has been told that some of Sir Keir's supporters on Labour's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) would seek to stop Burnham from standing.

The prospect of Burnham's return - and whether it should be blocked, given the mayor's suggestions he could challenge the prime minister's leadership - have divided Labour MPs.

While they have no input into the candidate selection process, the outcome could have a profound impact on the future of the Labour government.

The BBC has asked 280 Labour MPs of the 404 currently sitting in Parliament what their views were on Burnham attempting to become an MP again. Those who replied did not wish to be named.

While strong views were expressed by both supporters and critics of Burnham, there was no clear consensus among Labour MPs as to whether Burnham should be Labour's candidate in Gorton and Denton.

Those who say Burnham should be allowed to stand worry about the how it would look if the PM tried to block his candidacy.

One Labour MP said: "The arrogance of Westminster to think that they can block the will of local party members and ultimately voters is symbolic of everything that's wrong with our political system and what people hate about politics."

Another said it "would be extraordinary if they blocked him", partly because "there's a sense in which he might be the only candidate able to win the by-election".

The prime minister shouldn't be scared of anyone, a different MP said. That MP said: "He's got vultures left, right, up, down, in front and behind. He needs to man up and show he's happy to see off anyone."

Some of the Labour MPs we contacted praised Burnham's record as mayor in Greater Manchester and suggested the government could benefit from his experience.

One MP said: "He'd be great as an MP and in Parliament. Future leader possibly. I don't think the NEC should block - always a local decision."

And a former minister said: "The way this could work for everyone is if Andy makes it clear his priority would be to represent the people of Denton and Gorton and not as a leadership vehicle bid then Keir doesn't have months of instability and Andy shows he's a team player."

One MP agreed, saying if Burnham "acts like a team player he'd be valuable". But they cautioned: "If he's a grandstanding dickhead the melodrama will be a pain in the arse."

Burnham has not endeared himself to all Labour MPs though.

Last year, ahead of Labour's conference, he faced a backlash from dozens of Labour MPs over suggestions he could mount a challenge to Sir Keir's leadership.

That animosity has not gone away.

One Labour MP who is supportive of the prime minister said: "I think it's outrageous and ludicrous that he could contemplate coming back to Parliament with the implied intent to challenge Starmer for the leadership. It's wrong on so many levels.

"A by-election, without somebody like that standing, would be incredibly destabilising for the Labour government and the country."

The problem with Burnham, one minister said, "is that it's always about Andy Burnham".

"I think the PM should just stay out of it, rise above it and get on with the job," the minister said.

A second minister said: "There are rules against Kings entering the Commons for good reason. This way ruin lies."

A third minister argued there was a "massive overblown sense" that MPs were desperate for Burnham to return to the Commons.

A Labour MP agreed: "I have to tell you the overwhelming majority of backbenchers have no interest in leadership change. Keir is doing a great job in really difficult circumstances. And the country would never forgive us for doing exactly what the Tories did in changing leaders."

There was also concern about what this could mean for Labour's prospects in the upcoming local elections in May.

One MP said: "I have nothing against Andy but the idea that ahead of the local elections we need to plunge ourselves into a row about the leadership rather than focus on what our constituents are worried about is ridiculous."

Whatever happens, those on both sides of this debate know this will all come to a head sooner rather than later.

Labour sources have indicated they want the by-election to be held quickly, with a candidate possibly in place by next week.

That's when these divisions could burst out from text messages and into the open.