Andy Burnham Wins Makerfield By-Election, Sets Sights on Labour Leadership

Andy Burnham's triumph in the Makerfield by-election has ignited speculation about a leadership contest against Sir Keir Starmer, with allies urging a September transition.

Andy Burnham’s resounding victory in the Makerfield by-election has sent shockwaves through the Labour Party, setting the stage for a potential leadership challenge against Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Burnham’s win, with a substantial margin, has emboldened his supporters to push for a timely transition of power to avoid disrupting Labour’s prospects in the upcoming Greater Manchester mayoral race.

The outgoing Greater Manchester mayor’s allies are not seeking an immediate transfer of power but are advocating for a clear timetable, ideally by September. This strategic move aims to prepare the party for governance should Burnham succeed in ousting Starmer.

The contest to replace Burnham as mayor is set for July 30, adding another layer of complexity to the political landscape.

Burnham’s Victory and the Path Forward

Burnham’s election as the MP for Makerfield marks a significant milestone in his political career.

His victory defied national trends, increasing Labour’s share of the vote. This success has fueled speculation about his intentions to challenge Starmer’s leadership. Burnham’s allies believe that a clear timetable for Starmer’s departure would be beneficial for the party’s cohesion and electoral prospects.

Sir Keir Starmer, however, has made it clear that he intends to fight any challenge to his position. In a lunchtime call with Labour staffers, he emphasized the need for the party to ‘pull together’ and avoid internal strife. Starmer has been holding calls with members of his Cabinet to shore up support in the wake of the by-election result.

The Greater Manchester Mayoral Race

The contest to replace Burnham as Greater Manchester mayor is heating up, with Reform UK and the Greens eyeing the traditional Labour stronghold. Labour, which will announce its candidate on June 26, has sought to frame the contest as a two-horse race with Reform. A source within the party dismissed the Green Party’s chances, stating they ‘can’t win.’

Burnham’s allies are concerned that without a clear prospect of leadership change, the mayoral race could be more challenging for Labour. They believe that a timely transition would provide a much-needed boost to the party’s morale and electoral prospects.

The Political Landscape and Future Prospects

Burnham’s victory speech was a call to action, emphasizing the need for reindustrialization, reforms to Whitehall, and an end to the ‘unfairness’ of the immigration system. He urged his party to act now, stating that there would be no second chance. Burnham’s allies, including former minister Louise Haigh, have urged Starmer to set out an orderly transition and agree on a ‘path forward’ with Burnham.

The political landscape is further complicated by the recent by-election results, where Reform UK has made significant gains. Burnham’s victory in Makerfield is the third successive parliamentary by-election where Reform UK has come second. This trend underscores the growing influence of the anti-immigration party and the challenges facing Labour.

As the political drama unfolds, all eyes are on Sir Keir Starmer and his response to Burnham’s challenge. The coming days will be crucial in determining the future direction of the Labour Party and the United Kingdom.