The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defends his move to block Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from running for a Westminster seat, arguing it would "divert resources" from Labour campaigns in May's elections.The Prime Minister insisted the "battle of our times" was between Labour and Reform, rather than within his own party despite facing discontent among backbenchers and his own party members over the move to block Mr Burnham from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defends his move to block Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from running for a Westminster seat, arguing it would "divert resources" from Labour campaigns in May's elections.The Prime Minister insisted the "battle of our times" was between Labour and Reform, rather than within his own party despite facing discontent among backbenchers and his own party members over the move to block Mr Burnham from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election.