The blocking of Andy Burnham now raises the question of who will now contest the Gorton and Denton by-election.
The battle for the once-safe Labour seat, now a three-way marginal with Reform UK and the Greens, will be held on February 26.
With Mr Burnham off the ballot, Nigel Farage has said his candidate will be in with a ‘serious shout’ as they line up a ‘big name’.
Reform will unveil its candidate for the Manchester seat today – but there are widespread rumours its head of policy Zia Yusuf was considering standing.
A prominent member of the party who was previously chairman, he is yet to find a seat. Former Tory Dan Barker could also apply to stand.
He was picked as candidate for the Manchester mayoralty in 2023 but defected to Reform 15 days before nominations closed.
One potential Labour candidate is Julie Reid, a councillor for Gorton and Abbey Hey, which is within the seat, according to journalist Michael Crick.
The blocking of Andy Burnham (pictured) raises the question of who will now contest the Gorton and Denton by-election
Nigel Farage has said his candidate will be in with a ‘serious shout’ as they line up a ‘big name’
The former teacher is believed to have already applied to stand.
Mr Crick also tweeted yesterday that Eamonn O’Brien, Labour leader of Bury Council, has applied for selection.
While the longlist was due to be finalised last night, Labour are unlikely to publish the names before a shortlist is decided.
Some bookmakers have put the Greens as favourites, with Reform second and Labour relegated to third.
The Greens are set to field a strong candidate, with deputy leader Mothin Ali said to be considering putting himself forward.
The Leeds councillor posted a video on the morning of the Hamas October 7 attacks in 2023 and said all people had a right to ‘fight back against occupiers’.
Salford-born Green leader Zack Polanski is said to have decided not to stand, though has vowed to campaign a lot in his ‘home city’.
