Labour’s NEC opens door for Burnham to return to Westminster via Makerfield byelection – as it happened

This blog is closing now, you can read more on this story here Labour’s ruling body, the national executive committee, has given the mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham permission to stand in the candidate selection process for the upcoming Makerfield byelection, a party spokesman said. The mayor still has two more years of his term, meaning that if he stands there will need to be a mayoral byelection. Under Labour rules, sitting mayors need NEC approval to stand for Westminster. He would also need to be formally selected. Labour’s ruling body, the national executive committee, has given the mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham permission to stand in the candidate selection process for the upcoming Makerfield byelection. Former health secretary Wes Streeting has voiced his support for Andy Burnham to compete in the Makerfield byelection, describing him as one of Labour’s “best players on the pitch”. Labour’s deputy leader, Lucy Powell, has backed Andy Burnham’s efforts to return to parliament, saying there will be no attempt to stop the Greater Manchester mayor from fighting in Makerfield. The Greens are going to campaign for the upcoming Makerfield byelectio