I’m not surprised that Andy Burnham was blocked from standing as a Labour candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election, what does surprise me is the adverse reaction by many socialists. Why should it matter since we’re no longer members of the Labour Party and have no vote?

The reasons cited are those that stopped me giving him my second preference when I voted for Jeremy Corbyn as Leader in 2015, he subsequently resigned his parliamentary seat to become Mayor of Greater Manchester. In a recent interview he explained that he was no longer constrained by collective responsibility and party whips.

Andy Burnham: These Dangerous, Alienating Times Call for Radical Change of Our Politics https://open.substack.com/pub/bylinesupplement/p/andy-burnham-these-dangerous-alienating?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

He supports socialist principles – public ownership of essential services, abolishing of the House of Lords, proportional representation etc. – so there’s no doubt he would, if given the chance, make a better Prime Minister than Starmer or anyone else vying for the top job. Which is precisely why he’s not allowed to stand, there’s no possibility of him raising Labour from the pit it has dug for itself. There are a few socialists pushing shit uphill in the Labour Party, Starmer would rather scuttle the ship rather than allow anyone with the slightest socialist principles to take command.

By all accounts Burnham is doing a good job where he is, I doubt if he could do better on a larger stage and he seemed to be of the same opinion. So I don’t understand why he should put his name forward other than to embarrass Starmer.

Some Labour supporters complain that blocking him opens up the election for a Reform win, but this is nonsense! Greens could win if Zack Polanski was there candidate. As leader of the Greens it’s in the party’s interest for him to win a seat in parliament but, unlike Starmer, he’s leaving it to local party members to choose a candidate. I think Greens can win and have donated to their campaign fund. Here’s the link if you wish to join me https://donatetothe.greenparty.org.uk/parliamentary-by-election-fund/

By blocking Burnham Starmer has created division within the Labour Party which can only accelerate his political demise. Nothing could stop the parties slide into oblivion but Burnham could have applied the brakes and given us a bit of respite. But, when all is said and done, what do we care about internal Labour Party disputes? The parties over, they won’t get our votes whoever is in charge.