Labour Peer Criticises Burnham By‑Election Decision

On 27 January 2026, Labour peer Steve McCabe publicly rebuked his own party after senior officials barred Andy Burnham from standing as the Labour candidate in the Gorton and Denton by‑election scheduled for 15 February 2026. McCabe said the decision was a "shot itself in the foot" and warned the party had not learned from the Conservative party’s internal crises. He criticised Keir Starmer’s leadership for sidelining Burnham, a former Manchester mayor and star of the party’s 2024 campaign. The Gorton and Denton seat became vacant when the sitting MP died in March 2025, prompting the by‑election. McCabe urged party members to reflect on the damage before another national election.