Analysis: Andy Burnham's route back to the Commons is clearer - but one big hurdle remains

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Analysis: Andy Burnham's route back to the Commons is clearer - but one big hurdle remains28 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleHenry Zeffman ,Chief political correspondent ,Iain Watson ,Political correspondent ,Harry Farley ,Political correspondentandJoe Pike ,Politics investigations correspondentGetty ImagesAndy BurnhamTwo big hurdles in the way of Andy Burnham's return to Parliament have been cleared. A Labour MP has stood down, allowing the Greater Manchester mayor to put himself forward as a parliamentary candidate. The last time that happened, before the Gorton and Denton by-election earlier this year, Sir Keir Starmer used his authority and control over Labour's ruling National Executive Committee to block Burnham from standing.

This time, Number 10 has indicated it will not seek to block him again. After a week in which nearly a third of the party, including the health secretary and four ministers, have called for the prime minister to resign, it was unlikely Sir Keir would have had the authority to repeat the move. So another hurdle is cleared out of Burnham's way.

The Details

The big one remains: can he win the seat? At the general election two years ago Reform UK came second to Labour with about just under a third of the vote. But at last week's elections, Makerfield - where Burnham would stand as MP - saw Reform hammer Labour, winning all 11 wards in and around half the vote in the constituency.

Nigel Farage has already said his party "will throw absolutely everything at it". Ahead of what will be a messy and bitter battle with Reform, there are early signs of a truce in Labour's internal war. Burnham to make bid to return as MP as pressure mounts on StarmerAt a glance: Starmer fights to stay on as prime ministerFour key excerpts from Streeting's resignation letterJosh Simons, the Labour MP for Makerfield who is standing down to make way for Burnham, is not from the same wing of the party as him.

He is a close ally of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, whose immigration reforms are deeply controversial with the Labour left. He also used to run the think tank Labour Together, which is closely associated with the party's right, after it propelled Sir Keir to leader. So it is particularly notable that Simons, not a typical ally of Burnham, was the one to stand down for him.

What Experts Say

Burnham's supporters have been quick to badge him a "unity" candidate. They hope this will put further pressure on Sir Keir to set a timetable for his departure from Downing Street. But others across Labour's wings and factions have privately suggested they would also now support Burnham for leader, if he can win the by-election.

That includes those known to previously back other leadership rivals. One minister said: "I think Josh has just single-handedly given the Labour Party a route to winning back the trust of the British people. "When pressed if they were a supporter of Burnham becoming leader, the minister replied: "If he wins we all are.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.