Andy Burnham could be blocked from standing as an MP by an all-women shortlist, the Home Secretary has said.
Labour’s ruling body is set to decide whether he can stand as a by-election candidate after he announced plans for a return to Westminster.
The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is due to meet virtually on Sunday after the Manchester mayor applied for permission to contest the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.
The move comes amid speculation that Burnham has ambitions to replace Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister.
Burnham awaits Labour verdict on bid to become an MP Sort: Newest first Oldest first January 25, 2026 9:03 amMahmood set to speak to BBC
The Government intends to slash police forces numbers from 43 to make way for 12 “mega” forces in a bid to save money and give officers more resources to boost crime-fighting.
It will take over counter-terror, fraud, and criminal gang investigations.
Shabana Mahmood arrives at BBC Broadcasting House in London, before she appears on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. (Photo: PA) January 25, 2026 8:59 amMahmood says there is a “strong case” for bringing in social media for under 16s
The Home Secretary, who is the minister in charge of law enforcement, also said enforcing the ban would not be done by police.
Mahmood also told how she wants officers to stop policing people’s behaviours.
“And of course, the Australians have moved to a ban.
“I think we should take a second look at the sort of environment that we let our children grow up in.”
January 25, 2026 8:49 amMahmood refuses to rule out implementation of all-women shortlist to block Burnham standing as MP
“Of course, you can’t by law have an all ethnic minority shortlist… But that’s not the decision for today.
Shabana Mahmood speaks to members of the Jewish community at the Community Security Trust (CST) (Photo: Reuters)
“Under our Labour Party rules, anybody who is a mayor or a police and crime commissioner, if they want to run for a different political office, such as member of parliament, they do have to seek permission from the national executive.”
The Home Secretary also praised Burham, saying he’s “a fantastic politician”, adding that Labour “have all of our best players making their contribution to the Labour government”.
She added everyone could do “with less psychodrama” and appeals to colleagues to avoid speculating on the Labour leadership.
January 25, 2026 8:42 amBurnham awaits Labour verdict on bid to become an MP
Labour’s ruling body is set to decide whether Andy Burnham can stand as a by-election candidate as the Greater Manchester mayor plots a return to Westminster.
Announcing his decision on Saturday, Mr Burnham said the by-election was “the front line” of a fight against “a brand of politics which seeks to pit people against each other”.
Labour Party rules give the NEC a veto over regional mayors contesting parliamentary elections under a change introduced after the last election, designed to prevent costly mayoral by-elections.
Sources close to the NEC have expressed concern about the expense of fighting a mayoral by-election in Manchester, while reports suggest supporters of Sir Keir Starmer are concerned about Mr Burnham’s leadership ambitions.
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