Labour officials are reportedly "backing away" from efforts to block the return of Andy Burnham.

LONDON — Labour Party officials are now reportedly less likely to prevent leadership frontrunner Andy Burnham from returning to parliament following disappointing election results last week, according to a member of the party's ruling body. In January, officers on Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) voted 8-1 to prevent Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester and a likely challenger to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, from applying to run in a parliamentary by-election. Starmer was one of the eight officers who voted against him. However, another of the eight NEC officers stated on Monday that colleagues are "reassessing" their previous positions as they consider whether to block Burnham again. Abdi Duale, speaking at a post-election webinar hosted by the firm FTI Consulting, said: "Of course, the leader has influence over how the NEC votes. But I believe that influence is diminished when considering the election results and the likelihood that the current prime minister will not lead the party into the next election. I imagine colleagues will be weighing that, because I think old loyalties that existed before May 7 are all being reassessed." Any change in opinion among the 10 NEC officers will be crucial to Starmer's future, as their decision will likely determine whether Burnham can return and launch a leadership challenge. Duale, a senior public affairs director at FTI, added: "This is now a critical moment for the party, and I believe we will all make that decision based on what is best for the party's..."