Andy Burnham's return to Parliament was given the go-ahead by Labour's ruling executive committee this afternoon, as they waved through permission for him to stand in the by-election.

After hours of silence from NEC members, the Labour Party surprised Westminster by confirming that Mr Burnham had been granted permission without a vote.

Confirming that Sir Keir's Starmer's arch nemeses had finally been given permission, a party spokesman said: 'Labour's ruling body, the National Executive Committee has today given permission to Andy Burnham to stand in the candidate selection process in the forthcoming by-election for the Makerfield constituency.'

The Labour Party also confirmed that the bombshell by-election - described by one government source as the most important in British history - will take place on Thursday 18 June.

Sir Keir Starmer, who has a seat on the NEC officers committee, was unable to block Mr Burnham from standing for a second time after another day of rising pressure from Labour big beasts.

Both Wes Streeting and Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell publicly called on Sir Keir and the Labour Party executive to allow Mr Burnham to compete.

Mr Streeting, speaking as a backbencher for the first time in six years, threw his weight behind the Mayor of Greater Manchester, saying: 'We need our best players on the pitch. There is no doubt that Andy Burnham is one of them.

'The Makerfield by-election will be tough. Votes will need to be earned. Andy is the best chance of winning and that should override factional advantage or propping up one person.'

The former Health Secretary's support came as allies confirmed he would stand in any leadership election, with he offering an option on the Right of the party and Mr Burnham the Left.

While Mr Streeting stands little chance of defeating Mr Burnham, it is understood that he believes the former Cabinet minister must stand in order for the contest appear legitimate in the eyes of Labour MPs and members.

Ms Powell, who was sacked from Cabinet by Sir Keir in a mini-reshuffle last year, used a speech at the Fire Brigade's Union to warn there must be 'absolutely no attempt' by Downing Street to block Mr Burnham's return.

Ms Powell, who was the only NEC officer to vote in favour of Mr Burnham standing in February's Gorton and Denton ballot, said: 'I supported Andy last time he wanted to come back to Parliament, and I fully support him wanting to come back to Parliament again.

'We've got to do our politics differently. We've got to end the factionalism. We've got to embrace all the different traditions of the Labour Party, all the different voices, and bring one team back together. And that means having Andy Burnham as a key player in that team.'

Ben Walker, founder of the Britain Elects polling firm, said that while Reform stormed to victory at the local elections around Makerfield, which sits just south of Lisa Nandy's Wigan seat, Mr Burnham could swing it for Labour.

He argued: 'He is gold dust among certain sectors of the electorate. He's the only figure for whom Reform voters don't out-and-out hate... then you add on top the 3 or 4-in-10 Green voters who say they have a favourable opinion of Andy Burnham - all the while totally rejecting Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves.

'If he were the Labour candidate, it wouldn't be the Labour Government versus Reform, it would be Burnham's Labour versus Reform - that's the narrative Burnham wants to put out there.'

Already, Labour is doing everything it can to hold the seat, with MPs travelling up today to begin campaigning.

They also received a boost as it was claimed the Green Party is considering standing a paper candidate and withholding resources from the seat.

A top party source revealed that the party's executive is more focused on saving resources for the subsequent Manchester Mayoral by-election, in which they believe they stand a much better chance.

Today, Caroline Lucas, the party's former leader, urged her party to stand aside.

Ms Lucas warned: 'There are times when it's more important to put country before party. This is one of them. Burnham's longstanding commitment to a fairer voting system could transform our democracy & counter the dire threat of a Reform UK government.'

Meanwhile, Reform UK launched their selection to find a candidate to fight the by-election on Thursday evening, after Nigel Farage pledged to 'throw absolutely everything' at the contest.

Like Labour, the party also had campaigners out in the constituency today, and will tomorrow flood the seat with 'hundreds' of activists in its first action day of the election.

Deputy leader Richard Tice said his party will campaign on the platform of 'make Burnham history'.

While Reform is hopeful for their chances in the seat after crushing the Labour Party across Manchester at the local elections, they were dealt a blow today when the person widely rumoured to be their preferred candidate said she would not be standing.

Ex-Greater Manchester Police officer Maggie Oliver, who hit national headlines as a grooming gangs whistleblower, said she had felt 'hugely flattered' by calls for her to stand.

But she said she feels she can 'do more good from the place I am', fighting for rape gang survivors.

'My work here is not yet done, and I intend to see this through until I can rest knowing change is coming. But thank you for your trust in me. Which in all honesty means the world.'

GB News presenter Patrick Christys, from the North West, also told the Mail that he would not be putting his hat into the ring after Reform sources voiced hope they could field another television star candidate.

Mr Christys said: 'I wouldn't do it, I'm fully committed to being the No. 1 rated show on GB News.'

Reform is understood to be planning a campaign around local issues, led by a local candidate.