Andy Burnham blocked from re-entering parliament.

I’m not surprised either, but then little surprises me about politics these days.

I'm not a Labour party supporter (or a supporter of any political party) but I'm sorry to hear this, it makes them appear in a very bad light.
I don't see how Starmer can survive until the next election, and even if he does could will irrevocably weaken the party. Surely Andy Burnham is a better choice than Rayner or anyone else who has shown to have behaved unethically over recent months?

Can’t say I’m surprised: he bends in the wind, always has.

It's LP rules. The NEC decides whether or not someone can stand as a Labour candidate in a constituency.

Starmer and McSweeny don't want anyone who is likely to challenge for the leadership and who has more socialist beliefs than the LP is currently pursuing.

I think there will be a challenge, anyway, after Labour do really badly in the council elections, But it will probably be Sweeting, who is in hoc to private health companies and who is no more 'left' than the current leadership.

I think this could be the death of the Labour Party.

I think the by-election will be fought out between the Greens and Reform.

Rayner might be a bit of a dark horse in all this...

This is only the start of the campaign. It is like watching a game of chess played by two Grand masters - boring.

What are the grounds for them stopping Burnham standing for Parliament ?When Rachel Reeves and Angela Raynor can stand and there have. been financial rules they avoided didn't they Not that I'd ever vote for Burnham anyway

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