'Beginning of the end of Keir Starmer!' Labour civil war erupts after Andy Burnham barred from standing as MP

Former Cabinet minister Louise Haigh said the decision was "incredibly disappointing" and called for the NEC to "change course and make the right decision".

One Labour backbencher described the move as "a total sh**show" and "utter nonsense", believing the party would now lose the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Labour MP Richard Burgon called for an "emergency NEC meeting", accusing the party leadership of being prepared to lose a by-election to protect "factional interests".

Mr Burgon, who is secretary of the Socialist Campaign Group of MPs, said: "Keir Starmer and his clique have shown they're prepared to lose Gorton and Denton to Reform - just to protect narrow factional interests.

"It's weak leadership - and will only deepen the crisis the party is in. There should now be an emergency NEC meeting to resolve this mess."

Campaign group Momentum said: "The Labour Leadership's decision to block Andy Burnham from standing as a candidate in Gorton and Denton is a catastrophic example of the nasty factionalism typical of Starmer's leadership.

"Local members have been denied the chance to vote for the best-placed candidate to defeat Reform, showing again that control-freakery at the top of the party is destroying our chances of winning.

"Nonetheless, this is clearly the beginning of the end for Starmer's Government. Plummeting approval ratings and its refusal to back the bold, popular policies our communities need mean its days are numbered.

"It is increasingly likely there will be a leadership election in the near future: it is essential that socialists and progressives stay in, join or rejoin Labour to have a say in that contest."

Nadia Whittome, the Labour MP for Nottingham East, said: "In the most unsurprising turn of events, some Labour right apparatchiks care more about settling personal scores than winning elections after all.

"Even if it means risking gifting Reform another seat in Parliament.

"They're destroying the only electoral vehicle currently capable of stopping a proto-fascist Government in 2029. Faction before party before country."

Some Labour MPs have backed the decision, urging their party to stop infighting and move on to winning the by-election.

Phil Brickell, who represents Bolton West, said speculation about Mr Burnham's candidacy in recent days had "seen the Labour Party quickly turn inward… undermining the PM's efforts at home and abroad".

Rugby MP John Slinger said the "quick and clear decision" meant the party could "move on from the damaging, introspection and psychodrama of the last week".

Local Government Secretary Steve Reed said he looked forward to seeing Mr Burnham back in Parliament "in due course".

He told the BBC: "He's got two more years of his term to run. In due course, I look forward to seeing Andy back in Parliament. Right now, we don't want to trigger an avoidable by-election in Greater Manchester.

"I know that's disappointing for Andy, but it's good news for the people of Greater Manchester because he's been doing such a good job as the mayor."

The reaction follows a statement from Labour saying: "The NEC believes that causing an unnecessary election for the position of Greater Manchester Mayor would have a substantial and disproportionate impact on party campaign resources ahead of the local elections and elections to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd in May.

"Although the Party would be confident of retaining the mayoralty, the NEC could not put Labour's control of Greater Manchester at any risk.

"Andy Burnham is doing a great job as Mayor of Greater Manchester. We believe it is in the best interests of the party to avoid an unnecessary Mayoral election, which would use substantial amounts of taxpayers' money and resources that are better spent tackling the cost of living crisis.

"We look forward to fighting and winning the upcoming by-election in Gorton and Denton and the positive campaign ahead, which will be firmly focused on tackling the cost of living and bringing investment to the local area."

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