# Labour’s DESPERATE Attempt To Block Burnham Will Backfire | #NovaraLIVE Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj02e7koyvA Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/lj02e7koyvA Generated: 2026-01-23T20:05:00.141+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The Labour Party leadership, fearing the popularity of Andy Burnham, is actively attempting to block his path into Westminster to challenge Keir Starmer, utilizing procedural changes like requiring NEC permission for directly elected mayors to stand for MP, which commentators view as a desperate declaration of weakness. **Key Points:** - Labour leadership is reportedly sending messages to block Andy Burnham from standing as an MP in the Gorton and Denton by-election, despite Andrew Gwynne resigning his seat. - Potential methods to block Burnham include the NEC drawing up a list of only female or only BAME candidates for Gorton and Denton, which the hosts sarcastically praise as commitment to feminism and anti-racism. - New rules require directly elected mayors and PCCs to seek 'express permission of the NEC' before seeking nomination for Parliament, with those decisions being final. - Patrick Maguire suggests that blocking Burnham is a "huge declaration of weakness" and that powerful union leaders or figures like Angela Rayner speaking out could overturn the procedural block, citing the Dianne Abbott precedent. - Burnham possesses the rare positive approval rating among Labour politicians, with one source noting he is the "only Labour politician in the country with a positive approval rating" (though polling later shows his rating as zero). - New polling suggests that if Labour runs any candidate other than Burnham in Gorton and Denton, they risk a substantial loss to Reform, but with Burnham, they draw level or gain a narrow lead. - Megan Badet detailed that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Kurdish communities are resisting the Syrian transitional government forces, fearing ethnic cleansing and the loss of their secular, decentralized governance model, despite US pressure for a ceasefire. **Context:** The Novara Live broadcast discusses two main topics: internal Labour Party machinations aimed at preventing Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from securing a seat in Westminster to challenge Keir Starmer, and an update on the conflict in Kurdish-controlled North and East Syria (Rojava) following advances by the Syrian transitional government forces led by HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharh. ## Detailed Analysis The primary focus of the discussion is the Labour leadership's alleged efforts to obstruct Andy Burnham's entry into Parliament, driven by his high popularity relative to Keir Starmer, who is described as the "least popular prime minister of all time." Tactics reportedly include manipulating candidate selection rules for the Gorton and Denton by-election, such as imposing an all-women or all-BAME shortlist, or requiring NEC approval for Burnham to stand. Commentators, including Patrick Maguire, frame this as pathetic and a sign of profound weakness from Starmer's inner circle, arguing that a confident leader would welcome Burnham. Maguire points to union power brokers as potential counter-forces capable of reversing the blockade, referencing the past controversy surrounding Dianne Abbott. Polling data suggests Burnham significantly boosts Labour's chances in the crucial by-election against Reform UK. Separately, Megan Badet from the Kurdish Peace Institute provided context on the Syrian conflict, explaining that the Syrian transitional government forces, composed of HTS and Turkish-backed militias, are advancing against the SDF. Badet warns that a takeover would likely result in ethnic cleansing and the destruction of Rojava's secular, decentralized, and gender-equal governance model, despite a fragile US-brokered ceasefire, noting that the conflict is rooted in competing interests rather than shared values between the US and the Kurds. ### Labour's Anti-Burnham Strategy - Blocking entry to Westminster via Gorton and Denton by-election - Utilizing revised selection rules requiring NEC permission for mayors to stand - Considering cynical use of all-women or all-BAME shortlists to exclude him ### Consequences of Blocking Burnham - Patrick Maguire labels the attempt a "huge declaration of weakness" - Labour MPs fear losing seats with Starmer, seeing Burnham as the only popular alternative - Polling shows Burnham's presence is vital to winning the by-election against Reform ### Internal Labour Dynamics - The blocking effort is attributed to Starmer's politburo and hangers-on seeking centralized control, echoing efforts since the removal of Corbyn supporters - The leadership is considering imposing a 'loyalty pledge' on new candidates to prevent future leadership challenges ### The Syrian Conflict Update - Syrian transitional government forces (HTS/Al-Sharh) have advanced against the SDF, retaking Arab majority provinces - Fighting resulted in an estimated 1,000 deaths before a fragile ceasefire was announced due to US pressure ### Kurdish Concerns in Rojava - The autonomous administration values secular principles, gender equality (co-chairs in all bodies), and decentralized governance, which the Islamist-aligned Damascus government threatens - Badet cites reports of atrocities, including beheadings and humiliation of captured SDF female fighters, reminiscent of ISIS crimes ### US Role and Future Settlement - The US partnership with the SDF was interest-based (fighting ISIS) and has now diverged, possibly giving a 'green light' to Turkey and Israel for regional influence - Kurds seek strong local autonomy, potentially modeled on the Turkish Kurdish municipal system, resisting full submission to Damascus