Powell wants Labour to unite ahead of by-election

Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell said she wanted to focus on "bringing the party together" ahead of the forthcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham put himself forward as a candidate but was blocked at the weekend by Labour's ruling national executive committee (NEC).

Powell was the only member of the NEC who voted to allow Burnham to run. The decision angered some Labour MPs, with 50 signing a letter to ask for a re-think.

Manchester Central MP Powell said she recognised there were "different opinions about the issue on all sides" but urged everyone to "come together" and focus on defeating Reform UK, which is riding high in the polls.

"I am the deputy leader of the Labour Party, I've got skin in the game," said Powell.

"It's part of my job to bring everyone back together."

Powell told BBC North West Tonight she would not go into what was discussed at the "private and closed" NEC meeting.

But she said she recognised and respected there were differing views and points made before the decision had been taken.

"I was part of the decision-making process," explained the senior MP. "I respect that there are different views about this issue, there are different views on all sides and there are different issues and we needed to consider those.

"I absolutely agreed I would stand by a decision... which was taken by the majority of the committee."

Powell said she wanted Labour members to be "one team", working with a clear focus.

"On the whole we are united - we are united in bringing about some really important Labour policies," she said.

The by-election to replace former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne is likely to take place at the end of February.

As a directly elected mayor, Burnham had to seek approval from the NEC under Labour's rules.

Labour said it had decided to deny him permission to stand to "avoid an unnecessary mayoral election, which would use substantial amounts of taxpayers' money and resources".

When asked why a mayoral election could not simply coincide with local elections taking place in all 10 Greater Manchester council boroughs in May, Powell replied that there were a "range of reasons".

"The Labour Party NEC exists to weigh up and make decisions and some of those trade-offs," she said.

"The decision has now been taken and Andy is a brilliant Mayor of Greater Manchester and I know that lots of people will be pleased that he can carry on.

"This is a big and important by-election - only Labour can defeat Reform here," Powell claimed.

"We will make sure you have a strong local candidate supported by me, supported by Andy Burnham, supported by Keir Starmer and we will be one Labour team in making sure your area gets changed for the better."

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