Burnham Eyes Commons Comeback As Gwynne Resigns

In a dramatic turn for British politics, Andrew Gwynne, the long-serving Labour MP for Gorton and Denton, has officially announced his resignation, triggering a high-stakes by-election in Greater Manchester that could reshape the Labour Party’s leadership landscape. Gwynne’s departure, confirmed on January 22, 2026, comes after a turbulent year marked by his suspension from the Labour Party over offensive WhatsApp messages and a prolonged period of ill health. His exit not only opens the door for a new face in Parliament but also potentially sets the stage for Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham’s much-anticipated return to Westminster—an event that could ignite a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Gwynne’s resignation, while long rumored, still caught many by surprise. In a heartfelt Facebook post, he reflected on his nearly three decades of public service, stating, “It has been the honour of my life to have been an elected representative for almost exactly three decades, representing my home community firstly as a Denton West Councillor on Tameside Council and then in the House of Commons as MP for Denton and Reddish and more recently for Gorton and Denton. Over those years I haven’t got everything right and I’ve certainly made mistakes, but I’ve always tried my very best and I have helped tens of thousands of constituents with their issues along the way.” According to The Independent, Gwynne cited significant ill-health, exacerbated by the fallout from the leaked WhatsApp messages, as the primary reason for stepping down. He shared a message from his GP that read, “I do not think that he will be able to safely return to work as an MP.”

Gwynne’s exit follows his suspension from the Labour Party in February 2025, after it was revealed he had posted sexist and racist remarks in a WhatsApp group, including comments about fellow Labour MPs Angela Rayner and Diane Abbott. He publicly apologized at the time, describing his remarks as “badly misjudged.” The process for resigning as an MP is steeped in tradition; Gwynne applied to become the Crown Steward of the Manor of Northstead, an archaic procedure that formally vacates his seat.

The timing of Gwynne’s resignation is crucial, coinciding with mounting speculation about Andy Burnham’s political future. Burnham, who has served as Greater Manchester’s mayor since 2017, has long been rumored as a potential challenger to Keir Starmer’s leadership. As Bloomberg reports, Burnham’s pathway back to Parliament now appears clearer than ever, with the by-election in Gorton and Denton offering a rare opportunity for him to re-enter the Commons. The move is viewed by many as a prelude to a possible leadership bid, especially as Labour faces a challenging electoral calendar.

Burnham, for his part, has played his cards close to his chest. Speaking on January 22, he told reporters, “It’s not been confirmed to me. I’ve had no contact on this issue with Andrew or anyone close to him. I know him of old, of course, but I’m as in the dark about this as anyone. People shouldn’t rush to conclusions.” Despite his public caution, Burnham remains the subject of intense speculation, with party insiders and pollsters alike tipping him as the most likely candidate to succeed Starmer should the Prime Minister’s position become untenable.

The mechanics of the by-election are intricate. According to The Times, the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) will first draw up a long list of candidates, which the local party will then narrow down to a shortlist before internal elections decide the nominee. As an elected mayor, Burnham would need to secure the NEC’s express permission before seeking nomination. The timeline is tight: parliamentary rules require by-election writs to be submitted at least 21 working days before the May 7, 2026, local, Scottish, and Welsh elections—a deadline that falls on April 7. Realistically, Gwynne’s resignation needed to come even earlier to allow for the necessary preparations, particularly given recent historical precedents.

The stakes for Labour are high. Gwynne won Gorton and Denton in the 2024 general election with 50% of the vote, but recent polling paints a more competitive picture. A YouGov MRP from September 2025 showed Labour holding the seat with just 30%, while Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, trailed closely at 24%. According to The Independent, the timing of the by-election to coincide with May’s elections is a strategic move to maximize Labour’s chances of retaining the seat—and, potentially, the Greater Manchester mayoralty. Yet, the prospect of Burnham standing has sparked internal debate, with some Labour MPs voicing concerns that his candidacy could be a “distraction that can roll on for months that we frankly don’t f***ing need.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting, a key figure in Starmer’s government, weighed in on the unfolding drama during a BBC radio interview. “If indeed there is going to be a by-election, we need to make sure we’ve got a strong candidate, that we fight really hard to win that by-election, and we need our best candidates to come forward,” Streeting said. He added, “As to who that is, whether or not Andy will throw his hat into the ring, is for Andy to consider, and ultimately for party members to decide. But we need strong candidates. I’ll just say about Andy, having just seen him just earlier this week, whether it’s in government nationally, or whether it’s leading the city and the region locally, he makes a massive impact and makes a really big difference. He’s someone I’m proud to work with.”

The broader political context only heightens the tension. The May 7 elections are widely expected to deliver poor results for Labour, potentially triggering a general election later in the year. Professor Sir John Curtice, a leading pollster, told The Independent that Burnham represents Labour’s best hope of keeping Farage out of No 10 Downing Street, arguing that only Burnham has the support within the party and the broader electorate to be an effective replacement for Starmer. Polls also show Burnham as the frontrunner among potential successors, ahead of figures like former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting himself.

Yet, time is not on Burnham’s side. As New Statesman notes, he has about 11 weeks to secure a parliamentary seat if he wants to be a viable leadership candidate this year. His recent speech to the Institute for Fiscal Studies on “Manchesterism” and Britain’s political challenges reignited speculation about his ambitions, but also underscored the narrowing window for action. Burnham’s allies have reportedly been laying the groundwork for a swift campaign, though he has dismissed much of the media chatter as “rubbish.”

As the by-election looms, the Labour Party faces a pivotal moment. The outcome could determine not only the future of a single constituency but also the direction of the party—and perhaps the country—at a time of mounting political and economic uncertainty. For now, all eyes are on Greater Manchester, where the next chapter in Labour’s ongoing drama is about to unfold.