Starmer leadership rival Burnham blocked from seeking return to UK parliament

FILE PHOTO: Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester speaks at a fringe meeting during the Britain's Labour Party's annual conference in Liverpool, Britain, September 28, 2025. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

LONDON, Jan 25 (Reuters) - British Labour Party politician ‌Andy Burnham was on Sunday blocked from trying to return to parliament, with lawmakers on the left of the party accusing ‌Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his allies of a political move to keep out a potential leadership rival.

Burnham said he ‌was disappointed at the decision and, while he called for unity in the Labour Party, criticised the way the situation had been handled.