Politics latest: Burnham handed two major boosts in bid to return as MP and challenge Starmer The decision by Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) to allow Andy Burnham to stand in the Makerfield by election has been seen as a significant coup for the Greater Manchester mayor.
The move clears a major hurdle for Burnham, who had previously been blocked from contesting another by election in February.
Burnham's allies claim he has secured crucial backing from key Labour affiliates, including Usdaw, whose general secretary Joanne Thomas confirmed her union would support his bid to become Labour's candidate in Makerfield.