Andy Burnham Wants to Stand, Will Labour Let Him?
Newscast
BBC
4.3 • 6.6K Ratings
🗓️ 24 January 2026
⏱️ 39 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Today, Andy Burnham has confirmed he is officially seeking permission to enter the running to become MP for Gorton and Denton in the upcoming by-election, opening the possibility for him to contest Keir Starmer’s leadership.
However, Burnham has to get approval from Labour's ruling national executive committee, which Keir Starmer and some of his allies are on, before he can enter the race to be the party's candidate.
Laura and Paddy are joined by Gemma Bolton from the committee to discuss why some other members think he should be allowed.
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New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd The presenters were Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Jem Westgate. The social producer was Grace Braddock. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The weekend series producer is Chris Flynn. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, Podcasts. |
| 0:07.0 | BBC Sounds, music, radio podcasts. |
| 0:11.0 | Sorry, Paddy, it's been one of those days when I've been steering at my phone and messaging and texting lots of people. |
| 0:16.0 | Well, I'm just reading the letter. |
| 0:17.0 | What letter? |
| 0:18.0 | From Andy Burnham. |
| 0:20.0 | To whom? The chair of the NEC, the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party. |
| 0:24.8 | I write to seek the permission of the NEC to enter the process for the selection of Labour's |
| 0:29.2 | candidate for the forthcoming Gordon and Denton by-election. |
| 0:32.5 | Goodness me. Now that doesn't sound very interesting, but it is incredibly interesting. |
| 0:38.7 | And it is a letter and a decision that requires another decision that could change the face of our politics. |
| 0:46.5 | And he could lose. |
| 0:48.4 | Lots of people could lose. |
| 0:50.1 | And we'll be discussing all of that on this Saturday's newscast. |
| 0:53.0 | Newscast from the BBC. Fat boy sliver me in the classroom doing our violin lessons. I was the tappletail in the class. Can I have an apology, please? I trust almost nobody. Then daddy has to sometimes do strong language. Next time in Moscow. I feel delulu with no salulu. Take me down to Downey Street. Let's go have a tour. |
| 1:12.1 | Blimey. |
| 1:13.9 | Hello, it's Paddy in the studio. |
| 1:15.4 | And it's Laura in the studio. |
| 1:16.8 | And it's shenanigans in Manchester and Westminster. |
| 1:19.2 | Shananigans, my goodness, shenanigans is one word. |
| 1:22.3 | So what has actually happened in the last few hours? |
| 1:26.8 | Is that Andy Burnham, who we know, because he's never been shy |
... |
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