The decision by Labour’s national executive committee (NEC) to block Andy Burnham from standing in a parliamentary byelection prompted a wave of headlines about Keir Starmer’s leadership and potential rifts in the party.
“Labour faces risk of party civil war after PM blocks Burnham’s return” is how the Guardian framed the vote to reject Burnham’s request to seek selection in the Gorton and Denton byelection. Burnham said he was “disappointed” by the NEC’s decision, and hit out at “the way the Labour party is being run”.
Monday's GUARDIAN: Labour faces risk of party civil war after PM blocks Burnham's return #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/aUmopQW4CZ
— Louis O'Brien (@Lou_obrien19) January 25, 2026
The Mirror led on “Strong Starm tactics”, claiming that Starmer – who sits on the committee – had derailed a potential leadership bid. The paper said Labour had been plunged into open warfare.
Monday's MIRROR: Strong Starm tactics #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/reJrupuEPr
— Louis O'Brien (@Lou_obrien19) January 25, 2026
“Labour MPs revolt over blocking of Burnham” was the headline on the Times splash, with a rather unhappy looking mayor of Greater Manchester photographed with his arm around his mother, Eileen. Its story had allies of Starmer saying that allowing Burnham to stand down as mayor might have given Greater Manchester to Reform. Meanwhile, critics lambasted the decision as a “stitch-up”.
Monday's TIMES: Labour MPs revolt over blocking of Burnham #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/oN45PpEfWF
— Louis O'Brien (@Lou_obrien19) January 25, 2026
The Express front page trumpeted “Labour war as Starmer blocks Burnham bid to be MP”.
Monday's EXPRESS: Labour war as Starmer blocks Burnham bid to be MP #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/VSFgoZ8fZk
— Louis O'Brien (@Lou_obrien19) January 25, 2026
“Labour in revolt over Burnham ‘stitch-up’” was the top story at the Telegraph, which also detailed Burnham’s sharp criticism of the NEC for telling reporters the outcome of the vote before he was told the news: “You would think that over 30 years of service would count for something but sadly not.”
The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) January 25, 2026
'Labour in revolt over Burnham ‘stitch-up’'#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/KFk3Q6V9qx
The Sun saw the news as a classic case of “Crash & Burnham”, insisting Starmer had lit the fuse on a bloody civil war and was now staring down the barrel of an internal party crisis.
Tomorrow's front page: Crash & Burnham
— The Sun (@TheSun) January 25, 2026
Blocking Andy ignites a Labour civil war https://t.co/ODlgSIgy2f pic.twitter.com/qr8wP993rR
“Lame duck Starmer has only hastened his demise” was the Mail’s take, warning that Starmer will now “inevitably face a leadership challenge” for “personally helping to block Burnham’s return”. It said the NEC took 45 minutes to decide Burnham’s fate.
Monday's MAIL: Lame duck Starmer has only hastened his demise #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/8KEGI45uix
— Louis O'Brien (@Lou_obrien19) January 25, 2026
The i paper said “Starmer triggers Labour civil war after blocking Burnham return”, and suggested Health Secretary Wes Streeting could exploit the divisions in Labour to mount a leadership challenge.
Monday's front page: Starmer triggers Labour civil war after blocking Burnham return
— The i Paper (@theipaper) January 25, 2026
Read the full story: https://t.co/nOLm4WFZ5L pic.twitter.com/l2xPnRq8sd
