Andrew Gwynne has said he will resign as an MP over his ill health, paving the way for Andy Burnham to potentially return to parliament – unless the Greater Manchester mayor is blocked by Keir Starmer.
On Thursday, Gwynne reached a settlement with the Commons that would allow him to retire, which would trigger a byelection. Burnham is said to be seeking a return to parliament to stand for the Labour leadership if there is a challenge to Starmer, but was thought to have limited options for a byelection in the north-west.
