"Nandy stated, 'I think he's a huge asset to the party. And I've said before, I'll say again, I'll support him in whatever he wants to do.'"
"'I've always thought that right. And while I respect the views of colleagues on the national executive committee, I had I been sitting in that seat... I would have voted to allow him to stand.'"
"'Labour said at the time that the party had decided to deny him permission to stand to avoid an unnecessary mayoral election, which would use substantial amounts of taxpayers' money and resources.'"
"'Many in the party believed Burnham was blocked because of fears he could challenge Sir Keir for the party leadership if he became an MP.'"
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy expressed her support for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to stand as a Labour MP. Burnham was previously blocked by Labour's NEC from becoming the party's candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election, which Labour lost. Nandy disagreed with this decision, stating that party members should choose their candidates. She emphasized Burnham's value to the party and indicated she would have voted to allow him to stand, despite concerns about his potential leadership challenge against Sir Keir Starmer.
Read at www.bbc.com
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