Keir Starmer defends blocking Andy Burnham from running to be an MP

Sir Keir said while Mr Burnham is “doing a great job” locally, a parliamentary bid could "divert resources" from Labour’s campaigns in May’s local elections.

The Prime Minister insisted the “battle of our times” is between Labour and Reform UK, not within his own party.

Speaking to reporters today, the Prime Minister said: "We have really important elections already across England for local councils, very important elections in Wales for the Government there, and very important elections in Scotland for the Scottish Government that will affect millions of people.

“And we’re out campaigning on the cost of living, and they’re very important elections. We need all of our focus on those elections.

“Andy Burnham’s doing a great job as the Mayor of Manchester, but having an election for the Mayor of Manchester when it’s not necessary would divert our resources away from the elections that we must have, that we must fight and win, and resources, whether that’s money or people, need to be focused on the elections that we must have, not elections that we don’t have to have.

“And that was the basis of the NEC decision."

Meanwhile, Mr Burnham appeared to shrug off the decision, telling reporters he is focused on his mayoral duties.

After delivering a speech at Manchester’s Whitworth Art Gallery on Monday, Mr Burnham said: “I have said everything that I needed to say and I’m getting on with my job now.”

Sir Keir also claimed that the true fight is "with Reform UK" and stressed that "everyone needs to play their part" to defeat Nigel Farage's party.

He added: "The single most important thing for people across the country is the cost of living and that’s why we’re bearing down on it in everything we’re doing, pulling every lever.

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“We must never lose sight of that whatever is happening internationally. Whatever is happening across the country on other issues, and there’s a lot, the single thing that matters most is the cost of living.

“All of our members, all of our supporters, all of our MPs, know that.

“The second thing I’d say is there is a fight. Yes, there is a fight, but that fight is with Reform and we all need to line up together to be in that fight, all playing our part.

“I think that everybody in the Labour Party, everybody who’s a Labour MP, wants to be in that fight, wants to fight alongside all their colleagues in a fight that matters hugely to the future of our country.”

Despite the bust-up over Mr Burnham's candidacy, Sir Keir continued to heap praise on the former Leigh MP, insisting the Greater Manchester mayor is “doing an excellent job” and pointed to their close working relationship.

Sir Keir recalled backing Mr Burnham’s leadership campaign in 2015 and said the first team he worked in was for him.

He added that they have worked together on major issues, including responding to last year’s attack at a Manchester synagogue.

The pair have also collaborated on the Northern Powerhouse Rail project, which he said benefits the region and millions of people.

“There’s no question that Andy and I work very well together,” Sir Keir said. “He is delivering an excellent job.”

He explained that the Labour NEC had to consider whether allowing Mr Burnham to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election would distract from other critical elections in Wales, Scotland, and across England.

The Prime Minister added that Labour changed its rules two years ago to create a presumption against such moves, insisting the party must focus resources on the contests it “must fight and win".