A Labour MP who was suspended is reportedly preparing to resign, potentially creating an opportunity for Andy Burnham to make a comeback to Parliament. Speculation has been circulating that Andrew Gwynne might step down and trigger a by-election, despite his previous denials. However, The Times now claims that he will officially announce his departure later today.
According to The Guardian, Gwynne has allegedly reached an agreement to retire. He lost the Labour whip last year following the revelation of offensive WhatsApp messages. If these reports are accurate, it could signal Burnham’s intention to enter the fray and challenge Keir Starmer, the Mayor of Greater Manchester.
Burnham, who has been linked to a leadership bid against the Prime Minister for some time, would first need to secure a return to the House of Commons and gain approval from a national executive committee panel to become a candidate.
In response to the speculation on BBC radio, Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed well wishes for Gwynne, highlighting the MP’s health challenges. Streeting emphasized the importance of fielding a strong candidate in the potential by-election.
Burnham previously criticized Starmer’s leadership team, calling for significant changes within the Labour Party to address what he sees as an existential threat. The Mayor of Greater Manchester claimed that Labour MPs had urged him to consider a leadership role during the summer.
Despite ongoing rumors, Gwynne has repeatedly dismissed suggestions that he would step down. In a statement in September, he affirmed his intention to serve a full term and downplayed the notion that his constituency would be a pathway to becoming Prime Minister.
Gwynne was dismissed as a health minister by the Prime Minister in February after offensive messages from a WhatsApp group surfaced. The messages included derogatory remarks about various individuals and communities. The Mirror has reached out to Gwynne for comment.