Sadiq Khan and Lucy Powell back Andy Burnham for return to Westminster as deadline looms

Sir Sadiq said Mr Burnham should be allowed to stand as an MP if he "wants to".

The Mayor of London told the Fabian Society conference in London: "I think if Andy Burnham wants to be a member of Parliament, Andy Burnham should be allowed to be a member of Parliament.

"I'm a firm believer in the best team having all the talent playing for them, and if Andy wants to return to Parliament, I will try and make some time between now and the by-election to knock on some doors for him, or whoever the candidate is."

Ms Powell explained that it "should be up to Andy and the local members" to decide who stands.

She said: "He [Mr Burnham] has got to make up his own mind what he wants to do, and he has got until five o'clock today.

"Andy Burnham is incredibly popular in my part of the world. He is an incredibly popular politician because he is really changing our city for the better."

She added: "I think we should all come together and really celebrate where Labour is doing some great work.

"So, it should be up to Andy and the local members who will select their candidate, and our members are very discerning."

Ms Powell described the Gorton and Denton by-election as possibly "the most consequential by-election of this Parliament".

Labour's Deputy Leader said: "The absolute last thing that I want to see for my city and for the Labour Party is that we lose that by-election, and that we let Reform, or actually the Greens, more likely, get a foothold into my city or into a northern city which they've not yet done before.

"I think this by-election is potentially going to be a really consequential by-election, maybe, depending on who stands for the other parties and how it plays out, the most consequential by-election of this Parliament.

"In that context I always want to see the very best candidate, the person who can most help Labour win in that very difficult by election, I want to see the best candidates come forward and be able to come forward and help us win."

She called for people to "get behind Keir Starmer", relaying her message, which she has been consistent on.

Ms Powell said: "He's the leader of the Labour Party. We are one Labour team, and I don't want to see this by-election or any other situation emerge into more infighting and talking about ourselves."

Mr Burnham will have to apply to Labour's national executive committee (NEC) for permission to stand by 5pm.

Reports have suggested that supporters of the Prime Minister on the NEC may seek to block his candidacy, either out of fear it would destabilise the Government or to prevent another by-election for the Greater Manchester mayoralty.

The speculation came after the announcement by Andrew Gwynne that he would resign as an MP.

Mr Gwynne is stepping down on health grounds.

He retained the seat in 2024 with 51 per cent of the vote, however with Reform and the Green polling high, the by-election could be a tougher fight for Labour.

Mr Burnham has been Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, currently serving his third term.

He was formerly the MP for Leigh from 2001-2017, serving as Chief Secretary to the Treasury between 2007 and 2008.

Mr Burnham, who is widely believed to have ambitions to lead the party, is yet to comment on whether he intends to stand.

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter