In a significant political upset, the Green Party secured the Gorton and Denton parliamentary seat in a by-election, according to sources. Labour, which previously held the seat, came third, with Reform UK finishing in second place. Hannah Spencer became the new MP for Gorton and Denton.
' Burnham claimed the loss showed people no longer trust politicians to fix the basics, and he called for a serious conversation about the political system and its culture. 'What I want to say today is that the time has most definitely come for a serious conversation about our political system and its pervading culture, particularly so in the aftermath of the Gorton and Denton byelection,' he stated. ' 'It's unbelievable how people on the frontline of social care do not get a basic enough salary to support themselves, even though they are doing incredible things to look after people.
It's called 'Head North'. All I can say today is that the sequel 'Head South' is currently on hold. What I want to say today is that the time has most definitely come for a serious conversation about our political system and its pervading culture, particularly so in the aftermath of the Gorton and Denton by-election.
So no wonder is it that the NHS is in permanent permanent crisis, winter crisis because the preventative end just cannot cope,' Burnham said. ’ It's just an incredible state of affairs to be honest. ' He also criticized the 'bankruptcy' of Labour's approach to campaigning.
Burnham said Reform was the main opponent in the by-election, stating, 'Reform, as we’ve said that all along. You know, Greater Manchester is based on partnership and unity, as Angeliki has said. ' Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell said Andy Burnham would have won the by-election.
This is getting extremely dangerous, and change in our political system and culture is desperately needed.
'I think certainly the Greens wouldn’t have gone after the seat in the same way that they did,' she noted. Powell, who was the only NEC member to vote in favor of allowing Burnham to stand, said the party needs to make more use of Andy Burnham. 'We have to draw on that, make use of Andy Burnham, but also draw on that and reflect on how we could do that better nationally and better as a Government,' she stated.
Keir Starmer faces criticism for blocking Andy Burnham from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election. Starmer and eight others voted against allowing Burnham to stand. Starmer vowed to fight on despite the 'disappointing' outcome.
Reform, as we’ve said that all along. You know, Greater Manchester is based on partnership and unity, as Angeliki has said. You want to see unity, and not let division into Greater Manchester and that message has really got through in this byelection.
Burnham wrote a book called 'Head North' with Steve Rotheram about devolution. He said the sequel 'Head South' is on hold. 'From my point of view, I'm definitely not here to talk about my career plans, other than to say I wrote a book as you might know, with the mayor of the Liverpool City region Steve Rotheram about leaving Westminster and establishing devolution across England,' he explained.
Separately, the Happy Mondays and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham attended the BRIT Awards over the weekend. Shaun Ryder insisted that Andy Burnham 'should have been' Prime Minister. Jack Whitehall made a joke about Andy Burnham at the BRIT Awards that was censored by ITV, though the specific content of the joke is unknown.
No we have a brilliant candidate and she hasn’t put a foot wrong, she’s been out every day, she’s done us proud.
I think certainly the Greens wouldn’t have gone after the seat in the same way that they did.