David Lammy to face PMQs after Andy Burnham blocked from by-election

David Lammy will face Prime Minister’s Questions after Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham was prevented from the opportunity to stand for a Westminster return.

The deputy prime minister will lead PMQs on Wednesday, filling in for Keir Starmer, who is currently on the first visit to China by a British prime minister in eight years.

A delegation of almost 60 representatives of British businesses and cultural institutions is accompanying the Prime Minister as he continues his efforts to build bridges with Beijing.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is expected to question Lammy over the Labour Party’s decision not to let Burnham stand in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former MP Andrew Gwynne, who stood down citing health reasons.

Housing secretary Steve Reed rejected suggestions that denying the Greater Manchester Mayor a run in the upcoming by-election stemmed from fears of a challenge to Starmer’s leadership.

The Prime Minister has defended the decision by members of Labour’s National Executive Committee, arguing that allowing the Greater Manchester Mayor to stand would divert resources away from campaigns ahead of the local elections.

However, Starmer is facing a Labour backlash over the decision.

Some 50 MPs and peers have signed a letter insisting there was “no legitimate reason” for the move, made by a 10-member strong group of the party’s ruling national executive committee (NEC), including Starmer.

The housing secretary has insisted the decision is “done and dusted”, and Labour is due to select its candidate for the Westminster seat on Saturday.

Lammy will likely to asked to defend the decision.

PMQs will be broadcast from the House of Commons from midday on Wednesday.