What would the 2026 Greater Manchester mayoral election look like? “It will be the horrible hangover after the party if Andy wins in Makerfield,” said one Labour MP.
Behind the scenes plans are already being laid in the Labour Party on the assumption that the party will succeed in Makerfield but face a bruising contest to retain control of one of its heartland cities.
One NEC source said that the process would be too short to allow a full selection process involving Labour members in Greater Manchester. Instead, the preferred option is for the NEC to draw up a shortlist of one candidate who will then go forward and begin campaigning almost immediately in the week after Burnham’s by-election win.
The internal party gossips have been having fun with this prospect. It is said that Gary Neville, football commentator and former Manchester United right-back, was asked to consider a tilt but turned it down. Ed Balls is another that was briefly puffed up then pulled down by the rumour mill.
@EthanCroft98
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