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Usdaw accepts the decision of the NEC sub-committee and calls for party unity

Labour affiliated trade union Usdaw has accepted today’s decision of Labour’s Organisation Sub-Committee of their National Executive Committee (NEC), to decline the application of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to seek selection as the parliamentary candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election.

25 January 2026

0 min read

Joanne Thomas - Usdaw general secretary says: “We acknowledge that Labour’s NEC sub-committee gave full consideration to Andy Burnham's application and looking closely at the wider ramifications. We accept their decision and conclusion about the major disruption that would be caused by Andy Burnham abandoning his current role. He is a fantastic mayor, who won a majority in every ward across Greater Manchester, and I know he will continue to deliver for those voters. We call on the party to unite and focus on delivering the change that was promised and the country voted for."

Notes for editors:

Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest with over 370,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk

For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Bluesky @usdawunion.bsky.social and Twitter/X @UsdawUnion

Summary

Labour affiliated trade union Usdaw has accepted today’s decision of Labour’s Organisation Sub-Committee of their National Executive Committee (NEC), to decline the application of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to seek selection as the parliamentary candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election.