Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has blamed Suella Braverman‘s “useless” government record on being “stuck in the ECHR”.
Mr Farage had previously said she was “absolutely pathetic” on immigration and stopping the small boats when she was home secretary two years ago. Referring to a speech she made in 2023 he said: “It is the most disappointing speech we could have expected from a so-called hardliner.”
Braverman joins ally Robert Jenrick as one of the latest ex-Tory rightwingers to defect to Nigel Farage’s Reform, unveiled at a Reform rally for veterans in London as the eighth MP for the party.
But when asked about his previous comments after Ms Braverman’s defection to his party, Mr Farage told to reporters on Monday: “Utterly useless as they all were. They all were utterly useless, because they were stuck within the ECHR. So she found herself in this bizarre position….we were still stuck in the ECHR, which she opposed.
He added: “The government was a failure, but she's now prepared to put her hands up and say, We got it wrong. And that's the first criteria.”
UK politics live: Key points
- Breaking: Suella Braverman has defected to Reform
- Farage described Braverman as 'pathetic' on immigration in a speech two years ago
- Farage blames Braverman’s ‘useless’ record in government on ECHR
- Full list of Tories who have defected to Farage’s Reform after Suella Braverman becomes latest recruit
Reform says 'mental health' comment by Tories was a 'gross affront to millions'
16:35 , Rebecca WhittakerReform UK has criticised the Conservatives for their comment about Suella Braverman’s mental health, which they have since revoked.
The Guardian reported that Reform said the comment was a “gross affront to millions of people in this country” and “not true”.
The Conservative Party has re-issued a statement on Suella Braverman’s defection, removing a reference to her mental health.
The party said the earlier version was a draft sent out in error.
Reform UK is just a 'rehash' of the Conservative Party, Labour says
16:30 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Labour Party has suggested Reform UK is just a “rehash” of the Conservative Party, after Suella Braverman joins Reform.
“New logo. Same old faces. Reform UK has become a rehash of the worst of the Conservative Party,” the Labour Party said in a post on X.
New logo. Same old faces. Reform UK has become a rehash of the worst of the Conservative Party. pic.twitter.com/pt2bavYJjj
— The Labour Party (@UKLabour) January 26, 2026
Burnham is right – Starmer’s veto will make the Manchester by-election much harder for Labour
16:15 , Rebecca WhittakerAs Burnham is the key to stopping Reform in both Manchester seats, the prime minister faces a conundrum whatever decision he makes, writes David Maddox.
Read more here:
Burnham is right – Starmer’s veto makes Manchester by-election much harder for Labour
Charity criticised Tory HQ for 'mental health' comment, which has since been changed
16:04 , Rebecca WhittakerRethink Mental Illness, a charity, criticised Tory HQ for suggesting that Suella Braverman’s mental health was a factor in her defection - which has now been edited.
Brian Dow, deputy chief executive of the Rethink Mental Illness charity said: “Employers should never disclose any details about the mental health of their employees or former staff.
“Doing so says far more about them than the person they are referring to.
“People living with mental ill-health do not deserve to have their experiences trivialised or used as a political football.”
The Conservative Party has re-issued a statement on Suella Braverman’s defection, removing a reference to her mental health.
The party said the earlier version was a draft sent out in error.
Tories re-issue response to Braverman defection
16:01 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Conservative Party has re-issued a statement on Suella Braverman’s defection, removing a reference to her mental health.
The original response put out after the former home secretary’s announcement included the sentence: “The Conservatives did all we could to look after Suella’s mental health, but she was clearly very unhappy.”
The party said the earlier version was a draft sent out in error about the Fareham and Waterlooville MP.
The corrected statement from a Conservative Party spokesman now reads: “It was always a matter of when, not if, Suella would defect.
“She says she feels that she has ‘come home’, which will come as a surprise to the people who chose not to elect a Reform MP in her constituency in 2024.
“There are some people who are MPs because they care about their communities and want to deliver a better country.
“There are others who do it for their personal ambition. Suella stood for leader of the Conservatives in 2022 and came sixth, behind Kemi and Tom Tugendhat.
“In 2024 she could not even muster enough supporters to get on the ballot. She has now decided to try her luck with Nigel Farage, who said last year he didn’t want her in Reform. They really are doing our ‘Spring cleaning’!
“As always happens with Reform, they unveil defections just when the Labour government is tearing itself to pieces – Rayner, Mandelson, now Burnham.
“Reform are too busy opposing the Conservatives to hold the Labour government to account.
“The Conservative Party is now the only party that believes in smaller government, less welfare and Britain living within its means, and has the team and the experience to get Britain working again.”
Former MP calls Tory HQ comment about Braverman 'nasty and unpleasant'
16:00 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Conservatives said that Braverman’s defection to Reform UK was always a matter of “when, not if”.
But Stewart Jackson, a Tory peer and former MP has called the comments “nasty and unpleasant,” in a post on X.
“What a nasty and unpleasant statement from @Conservatives. That's another few thousand votes they've lost,” he said.
What a nasty and unpleasant statement from @Conservatives. That's another few thousand votes they've lost. https://t.co/SMcDYaWCV6
— Stewart Jackson 🇮🇱🇬🇧🇺🇦 (@BrexitStewart) January 26, 2026
Watch: Suella Braverman ruled out ever joining Reform UK, resurfaced video shows
15:50 , Rebecca WhittakerGorton and Denton by-election expected on February 26
15:40 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
A by-election to replace former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne is likely to take place on February 26, after the process was officially triggered by MPs.
Business in the House of Commons on Monday began with Government chief whip Jonathan Reynolds asking for the writ for the vacant Gorton and Denton constituency to be issued.
The by-election has to take place between 21 and 27 working days from the issuing of the writ, suggesting it will scheduled for Thursday February 26.
It comes after Andy Burnham was blocked from standing, sparking accusations of factionalism within the party.
The contest is likely to be a difficult fight for Labour, amid devastating approval ratings and growing concern over the direction of the government.
Comment: With Suella Braverman’s defection, Reform UK is filling up nicely with all the ‘wrong’ Tories
15:30 , Rebecca WhittakerThere are now more members of Liz Truss’ cabinet in Reform than on the Kemi Badenoch’s front bench, says Julian Glover.
Read more here:
Prime Minister should focus on the manifesto not 'Westminster gossip' says Pollard
15:20 , Rebecca WhittakerManifesto promises will be delivered faster if ministers spend less time dealing with “Westminster village gossip”, Luke Pollard said.
His comments come after Andy Burnham was blocked from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election.
The defence minister told reporters: “Andy’s doing a great job as the mayor of Greater Manchester and as we get towards the May elections, we’re focused on supporting the campaigns in Wales and Scotland and throughout England.
“So we’ve got a lot on our plate at the moment.
“I’m confident that we will select a good candidate for the by-election and we’ll continue supporting Andy in the brilliant work that he’s doing for Manchester.”
Asked about concerns over the move to block Mr Burnham, Mr Pollard said: “I think the British public just want Government to get on and deliver the change that they voted for.
“The more time that ministers – and the Prime Minister in particular – spends focusing on delivering what’s in our manifesto and not the Westminster village gossip about who’s up and who’s down, the faster the change will be delivered.”
Burnham not standing in by-election boosts Reform's chances, Farage says
15:10 , Rebecca WhittakerNigel Farage has said he thinks Andy Burnham not standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election has boosted Reform’s chances of winning the seat.
He said: “Burnham would have galvanised the anti-Starmer vote.
“He’d have pushed the turnout up, and I think it would have been very difficult for us to beat him.
“I’m being absolutely frank about that.. we might have come a good second.
“Now he’s not there. I think that the anti-Starmer vote will coalesce around us, so I think our chances have improved massively overnight.
“Is it a pushover? Of course it’s not; it’s rather like Runcorn.
“It’s one of those traditional safe Labour seats with a big majority and it’ll probably be very close, but are we now in with a serious shout? Absolutely.”
Braverman says defecting to Reform UK feels like she's 'come home'
15:00 , Bryony GoochFormer home secretary Suella Braverman said she felt she had “come home” as she confirmed her defection to Reform UK.
She will represent her constituency of Fareham and Waterlooville as a Reform UK MP with immediate effect after resigning her Conservative Party membership of 30 years, she said.
Watch: The Sir Keir Starmer v Andy Burnham 'psychodrama' explained, by David Maddox
14:50 , Bryony GoochSuella Braverman ruled out ever joining Reform UK, resurfaced video shows
14:40 , Bryony Gooch
Suella Braverman ruled out ever joining Reform UK, resurfaced video shows
Farage blames Braverman’s ‘useless’ record in government on ECHR
14:30 , Bryony GoochAthena Stavrou, political reporter, reports:
Nigel Farage has admitted Suella Braverman was “useless” as Home Secretary, but blamed her record in government on UK being “stuck in the ECHR”.
The Reform UK leader described Ms Braverman as “absolutely pathetic” on immigration and stopping the small boats when she was in government two years ago.
When asked about his previous comments after Ms Braverman’s defection, Mr Farage told to reporters on Monday: “Utterly useless as they all were. They all were utterly useless, because they were stuck within the ECHR. So she found herself in this bizarre position….we were still stuck in the ECHR, which she opposed.
He added: “The government was a failure, but she's now prepared to put her hands up and say, We got it wrong. And that's the first criteria.”
Braverman: 'Farage is the only man in UK politics to be courageously consistent'
14:18 , Bryony GoochAs she joined Reform UK, Suella Braverman said Nigel Farage was the only man in UK politics who has been “courageously consistent” as she took to the stage at a Reform UK event for veterans.
She said that her stance while a minister of calling for leaving the European Convention on Human Rights led to her being “sacked” and “punished” for “telling the truth”.
She called the Conservatives’ current promise to leave the ECHR “a lie”.
“I’m calling time. I’m calling time on Tory betrayal. I’m calling time on Tory lies. I’m calling time on a party that keeps making promises with zero intention of keeping them.”
She told the crowd: “I feel like I’ve come home.”
Watch: The moment Suella Braverman resigns from Conservatives after three decade membership
14:10 , Bryony GoochHere is the moment Suella Braverman defected to Reform UK, renouncing 30 years of Tory party membership and the Conservative whip:
In her own words, Suella Braverman lays out her reasons for joining Reform UK. 👇 pic.twitter.com/sqMnnaKsCE
— Reform UK (@reformparty_uk) January 26, 2026
Pictured: Former home secretary Suella Braverman is latest ex-Conservative minister to defect to Reform UK
14:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
It was a matter of 'when not if' Tories say following Braverman's defection
13:50 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Conservatives said Suella Braverman’s defection to Reform UK was always a matter of “when, not if”.
A Conservative Party spokesman said: “It was always a matter of when, not if, Suella would defect. The Conservatives did all we could to look after Suella’s mental health, but she was clearly very unhappy.
“She says she feels that she has ‘come home’, which will come as a surprise to the people who chose not to elect a Reform MP in her constituency in 2024.
“There are some people who are MPs because they care about their communities and want to deliver a better country.
“There are others who do it for their personal ambition. Suella stood for leader of the Conservatives in 2022 and came sixth, behind Kemi and Tom Tugendhat.
“In 2024 she could not even muster enough supporters to get on the ballot. She has now decided to try her luck with Nigel Farage, who said last year he didn’t want her in Reform. They really are doing our ‘spring cleaning’!”
Braverman dismissed speculation over defection to Reform in 2024
13:45 , Rebecca WhittakerFormer home secretary Suella Braverman just over a year ago denied she would be defecting to Reform.
She spoke out about her husband Rael’s defection to Reform UK to put an end to speculation about her own future in December 2024.
She said: “It’s not true. I am not defecting.”
The former home secretary added: “My husband and I have a healthy respect for each other’s independence – he doesn’t tell me how to do my job, and I don’t tell him how to pick a political party.”
Labour at war after Starmer blocks Andy Burnham’s Commons comeback bid
13:30 , Rebecca WhittakerLabour MPs warn prime minister the decision will trigger ‘bloodletting’ – but supporters back move, saying it will help party draw a line under recent ‘psychodrama’.
Read more here:
Labour at war after Starmer blocks Andy Burnham’s Commons comeback bid
'Farage has recruited yet another Conservative minister with selective amnesia,' says Daisy Cooper
13:20 , Rebecca WhittakerLiberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper has been critical of Suella Braverman’s move to Reform.
She said: “Farage has recruited yet another Conservative minister with selective amnesia – one who complains about broken Britain while conveniently forgetting they helped break it.
“Suella Braverman was so bad she was forced to resign from Liz Truss’ cabinet and got sacked by Rishi Sunak.
“With Kemi Badenoch promising to pull the Conservatives further to the right to chase after Nigel Farage, only the Liberal Democrats are standing up for the silent majority who believe in a decent, caring country.”
Farage is 'stuffing his party with failed Tories' Labour Party chair says
13:15 , Rebecca Whittaker“Nigel Farage is stuffing his party full of the failed Tories responsible for the chaos and decline that held Britain back for 14 years,” Labour Party chairwoman Anna Turley said.
“Suella Braverman helped botch Brexit and got sacked as home secretary – her defection shows Farage is willing to accept the very worst of the Conservative Party and exposes his complete lack of judgment.
“While Reform’s band of failed Tories focus on their careers, Keir Starmer’s Labour Government is focused on cutting the cost of living and fixing our NHS.”
'I feel like I’ve come home,' Braverman has said following move to Reform
13:07 , Rebecca WhittakerFormer home secretary Suella Braverman has become the latest ex-Conservative minister to defect to Reform UK, saying: “I feel like I’ve come home.”
In a press conference in central London, she told a crowd: “Britain is indeed broken. She is suffering. She is not well. Immigration is out of control. Our public services are on their knees. People don’t feel safe.
“Our youngsters are leaving the country for better futures elsewhere. We can’t even defend ourselves, and our nation stands weak and humiliated on the world stage. So we stand at a crossroads.
“We can either continue down this route of managed decline to weakness and surrender. Or we can fix our country, reclaim our power, rediscover our strength.
“I believe that a better Britain is possible. And because I believe that is possible, today I’m announcing that I resign the Conservative whip.
“I resigned the Conservative whip and my party membership, my party membership of 30 years. It’s gone. It’s over today.
“And because I believe, with my heart and soul, that a better future is possible for us, I am joining Reform UK.”
Watch : Labour deputy says Burnham should be able to 'choose whether to stand in by-election'
13:00 , Rebecca WhittakerFarage described Braverman as 'pathetic' on immigration in a speech two years ago
12:54 , Rebecca WhittakerNigel Farage described Suella Braverman as “absolutely pathetic” on immigration and stopping the small boats, when she was home secretary two years ago.
He said of a speech she made at the time as: “It is the most disappointing speech we could have expected from a so-called hardliner.”
Full list of Tories who have defected to Farage’s Reform after Suella Braverman becomes latest recruit
12:35 , Rebecca Whittaker
Burnham is right – Starmer’s veto will make the Manchester by-election much harder for Labour
12:30 , Rebecca WhittakerBurnham is right – Starmer’s veto makes Manchester by-election much harder for Labour
Watch: Former Tory home secretary Suella Braverman defects to Reform
12:26 , Rebecca WhittakerFormer Tory home secretary Suella Braverman defects to Reform
12:23 , Rebecca WhittakerSuella Braverman has joined her ally Robert Jenrick and other rightwing Tories as being the latest senior figure to desert Kemi Badenoch’s Conservative Party in favour of Reform.
She was unveiled at a Reform rally for veterans in London as the eighth MP for the party having been a rare visitor to parliament in the last few months.
She said: “Today I am announcing that I am resigning the a Conservative whip and my party membership of 30 years. And because I believe with my heart and soul that a better future is possible for us, I am joining Reform UK.”
Follow updates here by The Independent’s political editor David Maddox and political reporter Athena Stavrou:
Former Tory home secretary Suella Braverman defects to Reform
Breaking: Suella Braverman has defected to Reform
12:20 , Rebecca WhittakerFormer Conservative Home Secretary Suella Braverman has defected to Reform.
She was unveiled at a Reform rally for veterans in London.
She said: “Today I am announcing that I am resigning the a Conservative whip and my party membership of 30 years. And because I believe with my heart and soul that a better future is possible for us, I am joining Reform UK.”
Watch: Allowing Burnham to run for Westminster seat would 'divert our resources' from Labour election campaign, says Starmer
12:15 , Rebecca WhittakerBurnham urges MPs to 'come up to Manchester' ahead of by-election
12:06 , Rebecca WhittakerGreater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has urged MPs to “come up to Manchester” ahead of the by-election.
At a Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) event on technical education, Mr Burnham was asked whether he had a message for any of the MPs disappointed by the national executive committee’s decision to block him from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election.
He said: “What’s my message to MPs? Come up to Manchester.
“We’ve got a by-election about to happen. We need your help. The Greater Manchester way is built on togetherness. We don’t ever here have a politics that’s about pitting people one from another.
“This is a place that is succeeding because of its commitment to people of all backgrounds working together for the common good, that is the Greater Manchester way and we want to preserve it.
“So, come and join us. Let’s get out there and celebrate what we’ve achieved in Greater Manchester in the by-election.”
Former Labour deputy leader said Burnham will 'be an MP sooner rather than later'
11:59 , Rebecca WhittakerTom Watson, the former Labour deputy leader and now member of the House of Lord, predicted Burnham will “be an MP sooner rather than later”.
In a post on his Substack, he said he “wouldn’t have rushed” the decision and would have "spoken to Andy" to get some "clarity about his ambitions" before blocking his bid to become an MP.
"Instead, we chose a public rebuke of one of our strongest, if occasionally tricksy, assets,” he added.
Recap: What we know about Andy Burnham’s bid to become Labour MP being blocked
11:50 , Rebecca Whittaker- Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, confirmed his intention to seek the Labour candidacy for the Gorton and Denton by-election.
- His move was widely interpreted as a potential return to Parliament and a possible future leadership challenge to Sir Keir Starmer.
- The decision ignited internal conflict within the Labour Party, with some MPs accusing him of a 'show of ego' and being 'on manoeuvres', while others warn against blocking his candidacy, fearing a backlash against Sir Keir.
- Senior Labour figures, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, have publicly supported Burnham's right to stand, emphasising the importance of having all talent available to the party.
- Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC), including Starmer, voted to deny Burnham permission to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election.
- Starmer explained that allowing Burnham to run for a Westminster seat would 'divert our resources' from Labour's campaigns in the upcoming May elections.
Comment - Andy Burnham blocked: Keir Starmer is ruthless but right
11:40 , Rebecca WhittakerThe prime minister made the right decision for the country, the party and himself, writes John Rentoul.
Burnham ducks question about blocked bid to become an MP
11:36 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Andy Burnham has ducked a question about his blocked bid to become an MP, instead saying he is focussing on his job as mayor of Greater Manchester.
At the end of a Centre for Social Justice event about education, Mr Burnham was asked to address the drama that has unfolded in the last few days.
Responding, he said: "I've said everything I think I'm going to say about that today. I'm very much focusing on my job... I think I'm just going to leave it there, if that's okay. I'd rather just talk about what we're doing on technical education in Greater Manchester."
Too many young people are 'losing hope' in Britain, says Andy Burnham
11:30 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Andy Burnham has said the answer to get the country "functioning better" is in Greater Manchester, saying that "too many young people" are losing hope in Britain - taking a thinly veiled stab at Sir Keir Starmer's government just days after being blocked from standing as an MP.
The Greater Manchester mayor told an event hosted by the Centre for Social Justice: "Too many young people are growing up and they're hitting their middle teenage years, and they lose hope because they can't see where school is taking them. They can't see a path for them."
Pointing to the establishment of the Manchester Baccalaureate, he added: "We think there is an answer in Greater Manchester. we think it's time to back the MBacc fully and unequivocally, devolve powers and funding to build it properly.
"And if you did that in all parts of the country, maybe this country would feel like it's starting to function better. Again, particularly as young people are concerned."
Labour are repeating the mistakes of the Tories, warns leading pollster
11:25 , Rebeca WhittakerThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
It has taken Labour just 18 months to repeat the mistakes that the Tories made at the end of their 14 years of office with a succession of new leaders starting with the removal of Boris Johnson, a leading polling expert has warned.
Lord Robert Hayward, who is also a Conservative peer, told The Independent that he was surprised Labour had got itself into the same position so quickly.
He said: “What will happen is that Labour MPs will start to say ‘we need to try something different’ and get themselves into that mentality.
“It is just like the Conservatives after Boris Johnson. Of course it is all predicated on Keir Starmer’s poor personal ratings and those of his party undr his leadership.
“Logic actually tells you that it won’t make any difference at all and it didn’t for the Conservatives. But things get so bad that the ‘we need to try something different’ mentality takes hold. Labour are repeating the same mistakes.”
He argued that the point of crisis will come on Monday 11 May after the local elections on 7 May where Labour is expected to suffer heavy losses in Scotland, Wales and London - all parts of the UK which should be strongholds for the party.
“When Labour MPs come back to parliament on the Monday after those local elections then I think will be the point where desperation takes hold and they decide they need to try something different,” he said.
Although he added that an early by-election in February will not help Sir Keir.
“Nobody can explain to me why they want to rush ahead with this by-election. They risk giving Reform early momentum and because of the Burnham/ Starmer issue they have already turned it into a national story.
“They could hold on and wait til May. Holding it early will not help Labour or Starmer.”
It's a battle between 'patriotic Labour government' and 'division of Reform'
11:15 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Keir Starmer was asked by reporters whether Andy Burnham would be better suited at beating Reform UK than himself.
He responded by saying the "battle for our times" is that between a "patriotic Labour government" and the "division of Reform", the BBC reported.
He added that everyone in the Labour party is fighting the same battle and that the May elections are the “next test.”
Watch: Mahmood: 'Voters won't forgive Labour psychodrama over Burnham'
11:10 , Rebecca WhittakerStarmer says he has a good working relationship with Burnham
10:50 , Rebecca Whittaker“There’s no question of me and Andy not working very well together. He’s doing an excellent job,” Sir Keir Starmer said as he insisted he had a good working relationship with Andy Burnham, despite voting to block him from running for Parliament.
The Prime Minister said: “Andy Burnham is doing a really great job … when I came into politics in 2015 the first thing I did was support Andy Burnham’s leadership campaign, the first team I worked in was for Andy Burnham and in the job he’s doing now, he and I work closely together.”
But he explained allowing him to run for a Westminster seat would “divert our resources” from Labour campaigns in May’s elections.
“The question the NEC had to address was whether we should take the focus away, which it would have done, from the elections in Wales, in Scotland and the elections we must have, by introducing an election which we don’t have to have,” he said.
“And two years ago, the Labour Party changed the rules to say that presumption is really against doing that, because we need to fight where we must fight.”
Labour at war after Starmer blocks Andy Burnham’s Commons comeback bid
10:45 , Rebecca WhittakerLabour at war after Starmer blocks Andy Burnham’s Commons comeback bid
Burnham says he is 'getting on with his job' as mayor
10:35 , Rebecca WhittakerThe mayor of Greater Manchester has insisted he is “getting on with my job now”, after being blocked from running as an MP in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.
Andy Burnham told reporters: “I have said everything that I needed to say and I’m getting on with my job now.”
Labour should concentrate on fighting Reform over internal divisions, Starmer says
10:28 , Rebecca WhittakerSpeaking during a visit to a health centre in Wimbledon, Sir Keir Starmer said Labour should concentrate on fighting Reform UK rather than internal divisions.
In a message to his MPs, he said: “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.
“We must never lose sight of that whatever is happening internationally – and there’s a lot – 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.”
Starmer decision to block Andy Burnham for standing for Parliament
10:21 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Keir Starmer has defended the Labour national executive committee (NEC) decision to block Andy Burnham for standing for Parliament.
He 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.”
Burnham speaks at the launch of Class Ceiling
10:20 , Rebecca WhittakerAndy Burnham made his first appearance since the Labour leadership blocked his attempt to become an MP.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester spoke at the launch of Class Ceiling at The Whitworth in Manchester.
At the event where he launched a report into getting working class people into the media and arts, the BBC reported that he joked he had read every word of the report, because he’s not had much else on.
Labour has 'blown it', Green party leader claims
10:15 , Rebecca WhittakerZack Polanski, the Green party leader, claims “Labour have blown it” and said Greens are now best place to beat Reform in the Gorton and Denton byelection.
He said in a post on X: “Labour have blown it. This is it. Time to take on Reform. Manchesters first Green MP is coming. Join us to help get them elected on Saturday.”
Labour have blown it. This is it. Time to take on Reform.
— Zack Polanski (@ZackPolanski) January 25, 2026
Manchesters first Green MP is coming. Join us to help get them elected on Saturday.https://t.co/pTo5QEJ2Nj pic.twitter.com/5ILvtXd4iQ
Allowing Burnham to run for Westminster seat would 'divert resources,' Starmers says
10:04 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Keir Starmer said Andy Burnham is doing a “great job” as Greater Manchester mayor but allowing him to run for a Westminster seat would “divert our resources” from Labour campaigns in May’s elections.
