THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

UK Labour leadership nominations begin: Who's running and how it works Save Share British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement last month that he plans to step down as prime minister and leader of the Labour Party has set in motion the process to select his successor. The successful candidate will take charge of the governing party, which holds a strong majority in parliament, and will become the United Kingdom’s seventh prime minister in a decade. Here’s what you need to know about the Labour leadership selection process, including how it works and who is in the running. Starmer became prime minister on July 5, 2024, after a landslide Labour election victory following 14 years of Conservative Party rule. Heannounced plans to resignon June 22 amid growing pressure overpainful local election defeatsfor Labour, domestic policy shifts and Starmer’s appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States. Mandelson was sacked over his friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer’s resignation means Labour must select a new leader, who will then be positioned to take over as prime minister. Nominations for party leader officially opened on Thurs…

Burnham should be heard ‘at top of politics’ if he wins Makerfield, says Nandy By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour candidate Andy Burnham surrounded by supporters at the Stubshaw Cross Community and Sports Club in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, as voting is underway in the Makerfield by-election, which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons. Picture This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham is likely to discuss the Labour leadership situation directly with Sir Keir Starmer if he wins the Makerfield by-election, a Cabinet minister said. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said Mr Burnham deserves to be heard “loud and clear at the top of politics” if he succeeds in fighting off the challenge from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in the seat. If Mr Burnham does hold Makerfield for Labour, he is expected to use his return to the Commons to launch an effort to oust the Prime Minister. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy praised Andy Burnham’s ability to win voters back from Reform (Jonathan Brady/PA) …

Keir Starmer says he wants to offer Burnham ‘big role’ in government to avoid leadership contest – UK politics live <p>Former health secretary Wes Streeting also threatened to launch a leadership contest if the prime minister did not set out a timetable to step down</p><p>Good morning. <strong>Keir Starmer</strong> is still in France for the G7 summit but – as Margaret Thatcher discovered on a trip to Paris in November 1990 – acting as a statesman on the world stage does not protect a PM from a leadership challenge at home and, on that front, there has been a small development overnight; Starmer is now being told explicitly he will face a leadership challenge next week if he does not agree a timetable to stand down after the Makerfield byelection tomorrow.</p><p>This has always been implicit, but last night <strong>Wes Streeting</strong>, the former health secretary who wants to launch a leadership bid, said it out loud.</p><p>We can’t go on with this uncertainty. I think we will inevitably end up in a contest.</p><p>I’ve given you my answer.</p><p>Well, I’m sure I’ll talk to Andy after the weekend, of course I will. I’ve spoken to him many times in recent weeks. And when I came i…

🚨 BREAKING: Andy Burnham confirms he will stand to replace Keir Starmer as PM if he wins the Makerfield by-election "I think Wes Streeting seems to have launched a leadership contest, so if that is running, I would seek to join it"

Voters go to polls in crunch by-election for Starmer’s leadership By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour Party candidate Andy Burnham is hoping to become PM (Gary Oakley/PA) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Voters will go to the polls in Makerfield on Thursday in what could be one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history. Andy Burnham is standing as Labour’s candidate in the Greater Manchester constituency with the hope of returning to Parliament to oust Sir Keir Starmer and replace him as Prime Minister. Sir Keir said on Wednesday he was willing to offer the Mayor of Greater Manchester a “big” job in his Government, should Mr Burnham win when Thursday’s votes are counted. But allies of Mr Burnham said he was not interested in the offer, insisting “the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government’s failings”. Mr Burnham and his allies are reported to be hoping for a “coronation” in which Sir Keir stands aside, rather t…

Mohan Sinha22 Jun 2026, 11:39 GMT+10 LONDON, U.K.: Andy Burnham from the Labour Party, who is currently the mayor of Greater Manchester, has won a special election to become a Member of Parliament. This win puts him in a strong position to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for leadership. Burnham clearly defeated Rob Kenyon from the anti-immigration Reform UK party to win the Makerfield seat in northwest England. The result, announced early Friday, strengthens Burnham's position as a leading candidate to replace Starmer as Labour leader and possibly become prime minister. The 56-year-old politician, known as the "King of the North," received nearly 55 percent of the 45,510 votes cast, finishing more than 9,000 votes ahead of Kenyon. In his victory speech, Burnham made it clear that he aims to lead the country, not just serve as one of over 400 Labour MPs in the 650-seat Parliament. He said that people feel politics is not working and that the country is not in a good place, adding that this moment could be a turning point. Starmer, who has said he will fight any leadership challenge, congratulated Burnham and said voters chose Labour's message of hope and unity over divisio…

Andy Burnham says Makerfield win can be ‘turning point’ for British politics By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments 3 Skip to next photo 1 / 1 Show caption 1 / 1 0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham said Labour had a “final chance to change” after his decisive win in the Makerfield by-election set up a showdown with Sir Keir Starmer. Allies of Mr Burnham called on the Prime Minister to hand over power after he defied national trends to increase Labour’s share of the vote in a seat where Nigel Farage’s Reform UK made sweeping gains in last month’s local elections. The Prime Minister has insisted he will not quit and will fight any leadership challenge. Mr Burnham defeated Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by 9,231 votes, up from 5,399 in 2024, and Labour’s vote share increased by 9.61%. In his victory speech he urged his party to act now, saying there would be no second chance. He said: “Everyone knows that politics isn’t working. “Everyone can feel that the country isn’t where it shou…

🚨 BREAKING | A senior Labour source has told Manchester Evening News that Andy Burnham will not accept a position in Keir Starmer's government if he is elected as an MP for Makerfield in tomorrow's by-election.

No 10 rejects reports Sir Keir will tell ministers to quit if they back Burnham By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is currently facing potential challenges to his leadership from former health secretary Wes Streeting and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham (Ben Stansall) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Downing Street has rejected reports that Sir Keir Starmer is planning to tell ministers they should quit if they wish to support Andy Burnham in any future Labour leadership contest. The Financial Times reported that the Prime Minister has taken the pre-emptive action to see off any resignations which could follow if Mr Burnham is successful in winning the Makerfield by-election next week. But the Prime Minister’s political spokesman said no such conversations had taken place when asked by reporters. He added: “The Labour Party has a process for challenging a leader. It has not been triggered.” The spokesman also insisted that Sir Keir would stand in any leade…

Labour's Andy Burnham wins special UK election, setting up showdown ... Labour party’s Andy Burnham speaks after winning the Makerfield by-election, paving the way for a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. in Wigan, England, Friday, June 19, 2026.(AP Photo/Jon Super) Labour party candidate Andy Burnham arrives at the Edge Wigan for the Makerfield by-election result announcement in Wigan, England, Friday, June 19, 2026.(AP Photo/Jon Super) Andy Burnham, Britain’s Labour candidate for Makerfield, gestures in front of supporters during the by-election in Makerfield, England, Thursday, June 18, 2026 where voters are choosing a new lawmaker with Andy Burnham of the Labour Party as the leading contender.(AP Photo/Jon Super) Britain’s Reform Party leader Nigel Farage and local candidate Rob Kenyon ashake hands at a polling station during the by-election in Makerfield, England, Thursday, June 18, 2026.(AP Photo/Jon Super) Vote counts started after the Makerfield by-election in Wigan, England, Friday, June 19, 2026.(AP Photo/Jon Super) LONDON (AP) — Labour’sAndy Burnham, the current mayor of Greater Manchester, has won a special election for a seat in Parliam…

Starmer rival seeks win in UK poll pivotal to PM's fate - RFI Starmer rival seeks win in UK poll pivotal to PM's fate Ashton-in-Makerfield (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Britain was holding a key local election on Thursday that could trigger the endgame for Labour leader Keir Starmer's beleaguered premiership, or win him a reprieve. Issued on: 18/06/2026 - 08:34 3 min Reading time Burnham (C) is bidding to return to parliament after a nine-year absence © Paul ELLIS / AFP Advertising Read more Labour party veteran and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is looking to win the parliamentary by-election for the Makerfield constituency in northwestern England, so that he can then try to replace Starmer as prime minister. Polling stations opened at 7:00 am (0600 GMT). They will close at 10:00 pm, with counting due to begin straight away. Pollsters expect Burnham to win the historic contest, but he faces a tough fight from the hard-right Reform UK party. "Almost undoubtedly it's in the hands of the voters of Makerfield as to whether or not Burnham becomes prime minister," political scientist John Curtice. "If Burnham does win, his path to 10 Downing Street looks to be relatively assur…

Starmer says he will stand in any Labour leadership contest against Burnham <p>Prime minister suggests he will not ‘walk away’ despite Burnham’s comfortable victory in Makerfield byelection</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/jun/18/makerfield-byelection-keir-starmer-andy-burnham-robert-kenyon-labour-leadership-reform-aberdeen-arbroath-uk-politics-latest-news-updates">UK politics – live updates</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/17/how-quickly-could-andy-burnham-become-the-uks-prime-minister">How quickly could Burnham become PM?</a></p></li></ul><p>Keir Starmer has said he will stand in a Labour leadership contest should one be triggered after Andy Burnham’s decisive victory in the Makerfield byelection, adding he will not “walk away”.</p><p>The prime minister’s comments follow Burnham’s victory with 55% of the vote in Makerfield. In his victory speech, Burnham said the result “could be a turning point” and that people had “voted for change, they have voted for more power for the north and everywhere forgotten by Westminster”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/19/starmer-says-will-sta…

Andy Burnham is putting everything on the line - he says it's worth the ... Andy Burnham is an affable man. As one of the best known politicians in the country, he has celebrity status on the streets of Greater Manchester. He never refuses a selfie, a handshake, a question on policy. But when Josh Simons resigned his seat to make way for Mr Burnham last week, the media spotlight became more of an intense experience than he has ever known. Scrutiny of his economic policy, his handling of grooming gangs, even his running gear, all came thick and fast. He’s taken it all in good part - even admitting that his wife and daughter have long insisted that his now famous short shorts are ‘not wildly flattering’ for a man of his age. But a day after his official selection as Labour ’s candidate in the Ashton-in-Makerfield by-election, he is deadly serious. Click here to sign-up for our dedicated Makerfield by-election newsletter with exclusive interviews and analysis It’s the big issues he is keen to discuss. This by-election, he argues, is completely necessary - not just for constituents but for the country as a whole. View 13 Images The mayor speaks to the Manchester Evening News at his ca…

Andy Burnham says Makerfield win can be ‘turning point’ for British politics By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments 6 Skip to next photo 1 / 1 Show caption 1 / 1 0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham said Labour had a “final chance to change” after his decisive win in the Makerfield by-election set up a showdown with Sir Keir Starmer. Allies of Mr Burnham called on the Prime Minister to hand over power after he defied national trends to increase Labour’s share of the vote in a seat where Nigel Farage’s Reform UK made sweeping gains in last month’s local elections. The Prime Minister, who has insisted he will not quit and will fight any leadership challenge, praised his rival’s victory, writing on social media: “Congratulations, @AndyBurnhamGM, Labour’s new MP for Makerfield. Voters chose Labour’s campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate.” Mr Burnham defeated Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by 9,231 votes, up from 5,399 in 2024, and Labour’s vote share increased by 9.61%. …

Starmer warns Burnham against ‘chaos’ of a leadership challenge By PA News Published: 10:01, 15 June 2026 | Updated: 11:12, 15 June 2026 Sir Keir Starmer warned Andy Burnham not to throw the country into “chaos” by launching a leadership challenge if he wins a return to Westminster. The Greater Manchester mayor hopes to win Thursday’s Makerfield by-election and could then launch a campaign to replace Sir Keir as prime minister and Labour leader. Sir Keir insisted he would fight any leadership challenge but acknowledged voters’ frustrations with the lack of progress in his efforts to change the country. Andy Burnham could challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the keys to No 10 if he wins a return to Westminster (Yui Mok/PA) “I don’t think we should have a challenge, because I think it’ll throw the country into chaos,” he told ITV’s This Morning. “If there is a challenge, I will fight. I’m not going to walk away from this. “We won a landslide victory just two years ago with a clear mandate to change the country, that’s a five-year mandate.” Sir Keir’s premiership has been under pressure since Labour’s drubbing in May’s local and devolved elections. Mr Burnham would need to secure the backin…

When could Andy Burnham become prime minister, timeline with and ... - LBC Timeline of when Andy Burnham could become PM, with or without a Labour leadership contest Former Mayor of Greater Manchester could be in No 10 as early as next month, or as late as September 29 Jun 2026, 15:50 | Updated: 6d ago Share Facebook WhatsApp Email Link Copied Link CheckCircle By William Mata Andy Burnham becoming prime minister now appears a question of when and not if, with the former Mayor of Greater Manchester setting out his policies in a speech on Monday. Listen to this article Loading audio... Since Sir Keir Starmer announced, on June 22, that he would be resigning, only Mr Burnham has said that he will enter a Labour leadership contest . He set out a slew of policies, which included plans for decentralisation and devolution . “In fact, it is broken, and as a result, the country isn’t where it should be," he told an audience in Manchester. "It is stuck in a rut, and clearly we cannot go on like this. My generation of politicians, including me, must take responsibility.” There is still time for a rival to join a leadership election, but here is how it could play out if that does and does not…

Burnham should be heard ‘at top of politics’ if he wins Makerfield, says Nandy By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour candidate Andy Burnham surrounded by supporters at the Stubshaw Cross Community and Sports Club in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, as voting is underway in the Makerfield by-election, which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons. Picture This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham is likely to discuss the Labour leadership situation directly with Sir Keir Starmer if he wins the Makerfield by-election, a Cabinet minister said. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said Mr Burnham deserves to be heard “loud and clear at the top of politics” if he succeeds in fighting off the challenge from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in the seat. If Mr Burnham does hold Makerfield for Labour, he is expected to use his return to the Commons to launch an effort to oust the Prime Minister. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy praised Andy Burnham’s ability to win voters back from Reform (Jonathan Brady/PA) …

BREAKING: Andy Burnham confirms he will challenge Keir Starmer if he wins Makerfield by-election. He tells BBC Question Time: "I think Wes Streeting seems to have launched a leadership contest, so if that is running, I would seek to join it." www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/burnha...

Andy Burnham says Makerfield win can be ‘turning point’ for British politics By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments 3 Skip to next photo 1 / 1 Show caption 1 / 1 0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham said Labour had a “final chance to change” after his decisive win in the Makerfield by-election set up a showdown with Sir Keir Starmer. Allies of Mr Burnham called on the Prime Minister to hand over power after he defied national trends to increase Labour’s share of the vote in a seat where Nigel Farage’s Reform UK made sweeping gains in last month’s local elections. The Prime Minister has insisted he will not quit and will fight any leadership challenge. Mr Burnham defeated Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by 9,231 votes, up from 5,399 in 2024, and Labour’s vote share increased by 9.61%. In his victory speech he urged his party to act now, saying there would be no second chance. He said: “Everyone knows that politics isn’t working. “Everyone can feel that the country isn’t where it shou…

Andy Burnham says Makerfield win can be ‘turning point’ for British politics By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments 3 Skip to next photo 1 / 1 Show caption 1 / 1 0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham said Labour had a “final chance to change” after his decisive win in the Makerfield by-election set up a showdown with Sir Keir Starmer. Allies of Mr Burnham called on the Prime Minister to hand over power after he defied national trends to increase Labour’s share of the vote in a seat where Nigel Farage’s Reform UK made sweeping gains in last month’s local elections. The Prime Minister has insisted he will not quit and will fight any leadership challenge. Mr Burnham defeated Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by 9,231 votes, up from 5,399 in 2024, and Labour’s vote share increased by 9.61%. In his victory speech he urged his party to act now, saying there would be no second chance. He said: “Everyone knows that politics isn’t working. “Everyone can feel that the country isn’t where it shou…

Starmer braced for wave of resignations as confident Burnham ... Sir Keir Starmer is expected to face a wave of ministerial resignations after the Makerfield by-election result next week, with Andy Burnham now the favourite to win the seat and launch a leadership challenge. The Greater Manchester mayor is understood to already be organising his Downing Street operation and sounding out candidates to join his top team, including cabinet roles, in the expectation he will become leader and prime minister after returning to parliament. The Independent understands that internal polling and data gathering by the Labour campaign team in the northwest constituency suggests Mr Burnham “will win easily and actually embarrass Reform UK”, putting him in a strong position to challenge the prime minister immediately on his return to the Commons. It is understood that a series of government ministers are expected to resign in the wake of next Thursday’s by-election result – much like Boris Johnson experienced in the final days of his premiership, which eventually forced him to step down. Sir Keir has insisted he intends to fight any leadership contest , but a slew of resignations would make this…

Votes being counted in Makerfield contest which could pave way for Burnham PM bid By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Votes are counted at the Edge Wigan for the Makerfield by-election which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons. Picture date: Thursday June 18, 2026. This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Votes are being counted in the by-election that could see Andy Burnham return to Westminster and challenge for the Labour leadership. The Greater Manchester mayor hopes to stave off the challenge of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history. If Mr Burnham succeeds in holding the Makerfield seat for Labour, he is expected to use his return to the Commons to launch an effort to oust Sir Keir Starmer. Votes are counted for the Makerfield by-election (Peter Byrne/PA) He said the Makerfield campaign was a “vote to change politics” and vowed to “take that fight as high as I can possibly take it”. Reform’s Robert Kenyon represents the mai…

Makerfield by-election results LIVE: Andy Burnham vows to 'carry fight ... Comments News Alexander Brown Assistant Political Editor Updated 22:09, 18 Jun 2026 The polls in Makerfield have finally closed, in a contest that could shape the future of Britain. Labour leadership hopeful Andy Burnham is hoping to defeat Reform’s Robert Kenyon, and then is widely expected to challenge the PM. Speaking on Wednesday, Keir Starmer said he was willing to offer the Mayor of Greater Manchester a “big” job in his Government, should Mr Burnham win, but allies of Mr Burnham insist he is not interested in the offer. Mr Burnham has declared the race a chance to "write a new script for Britain", and put power in the hands of voters who he says have been ignored by Westminster for too long. Follow live updates below.... ‌ New Updates The polls are closed! View Post Today 22:00 BST The polls are closed! That's it, and now Andy Burnham plays the waiting game. Has he done enough to win the Makerfield by-election? Well, it won't be too long until we find out. Should the results go his way, he will launch a leadership challenge to Sir Keir Starmer "within weeks" it is claimed. The PM said yesterday that h…

Labour will get no second chances to change: Andy Burnham's warning to ... Andy Burnham addresses the crowd after winning the Makerfield byelection. EPA/ADAM VAUGHAN Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield byelection for Labour, gaining 55% of the vote on an exceptionally high turnout of 58.7%. He won 9,000 more votes than Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon, in what turned out to be an unusual byelection swing to the party of government. The scale of a result like this sends a message of its own to Reform UK, to Labour, and to the incumbent prime minister, Keir Starmer . But what can we make of Burnham’s message in his victory speech? After thanking his opponents for the “civil debate,” Burnham began with a charge that politics is not working. “Everyone can feel the country isn’t where it should be,” he said, adding, “Tonight could – just could – be the turning point.” A recurring theme was hope for the future. Campaign material urged voters to “Vote Andy. Vote Hope” . The emphasis on hope could be read as a rebuke to both Starmer and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Starmer for his unfulfilled promises in government, and Farage for his divisive rhetoric in opposition. Another key message was ch…

Andy Burnham's election to parliament sets up bid to oust UK PM Starmer <p>Labour mayor Andy Burnham cleared a path to ousting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after winning a parliamentary seat in northern England on Friday in what could be the most consequential local election in more than six decades.</p> <p>Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor nicknamed the “King of the North”, won the contest in Makerfield in northwest England with 24,927 votes, while the candidate for Nigel Farage’s populist Reform UK party came second with 15,696 votes.</p> <p>His victory means he will now be able to trigger or take part in a contest to replace Starmer, struggling with some of the worst popularity ratings of any leader. But the key question is when and how Burnham will do it.</p> <p>In his victory speech, Burnham said the result could be a “turning point” for British politics and told his party that this was a final chance to change direction.</p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media-- media--embed media--uneven media--tweet' data-original-src='https://x.com/BBCBreaking/status/2067795815326703995'> <div class='media__item media__item--twitter '><span> <blockqu…

How Andy Burnham could attempt to topple Keir Starmer to be the next UK prime minister <p>Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2009089/andy-burnhams-election-to-parliament-sets-up-bid-to-oust-uk-pm-starmer">won</a> a parliamentary seat on Friday, a vital step towards fulfilling his ambition to replace his party colleague Keir Starmer as Labour leader and Britain’s prime minister.</p> <p>About a quarter of Starmer’s lawmakers have urged the prime minister to resign since his Labour Party last month <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/1907958">suffered </a>the heaviest local election losses of any governing party in more than three decades.</p> <p>Burnham has said he would run in any leadership race, and is the frontrunner to replace Starmer. But some of his supporters are divided over how, and when, to challenge the prime minister.</p> <p>Below are some of the ways that Burnham could topple Starmer:</p> <h2><a id="burnham-triggers-early-contest-to-challenge-starmer" href="#burnham-triggers-early-contest-to-challenge-starmer" class="heading-permalink" aria-hidden="true" title="Permalink"></a>Burnham triggers early contest to challenge Star…

Votes being counted in Makerfield contest which could pave way for Burnham PM bid By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Votes are counted at the Edge Wigan for the Makerfield by-election which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons. Picture date: Thursday June 18, 2026. This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Votes are being counted in the by-election that could see Andy Burnham return to Westminster and challenge for the Labour leadership. The Greater Manchester mayor hopes to stave off the challenge of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history. If Mr Burnham succeeds in holding the Makerfield seat for Labour, he is expected to use his return to the Commons to launch an effort to oust Sir Keir Starmer. Votes are counted for the Makerfield by-election (Peter Byrne/PA) He said the Makerfield campaign was a “vote to change politics” and vowed to “take that fight as high as I can possibly take it”. Reform’s Robert Kenyon represents the mai…

Burnham wins key UK poll, paving way for bid to challenge PM Starmer Veteran UK Labour politician Andy Burnham emphatically won a crunch by-election on Friday, securing a parliamentary seat and clearing the way for a widely expected leadership challenge against beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Burnham, a former government minister who has been Greater Manchester mayor since 2017, ensured his return to parliament by easily beating the hard-right Reform UK party's candidate in the Makerfield constituency in northwest England. The 56-year-old longtime figure in centre-left Labour has indicated he will challenge Starmer for the party's leadership, and to be prime minister, and needed to win the high-stakes vote to be in a position to trigger such a contest. If Starmer does leave office this year, then Britain will get its seventh prime minister in 10 years. "I do say to my own party, this is a final chance to change," Burnham said in his acceptance speech after securing nearly 55 percent of the vote, beating Reform's Robert Kenyon by more than 9,000 ballots. "This is what people said directly to me on the hundreds of doorsteps that I stood on. We must hear it, we must act…

Burnham wins Makerfield by a landslide | The Spectator Text settings Text size Small Medium Large Line Spacing Compact Normal Spacious Comments Share Share James Heale Burnham wins Makerfield by a landslide Copy link Copied Linkedin Messenger Email In the end, it was not even close. Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield by-election by a landslide, putting him firmly on course to be Britain’s next Prime Minister. The Mayor of Greater Manchester managed to comfortably beat even the most optimistic of polls by winning an impressive 24,937 votes (54.8 per cent), more than 20 points higher than Reform’s Robert Kenyon 15,696 (34.5 per cent). In a distant third came Restore Britain’s Rebecca Shepherd who took 3,111 votes (6.8 per cent), enough to keep her deposit. In an impassioned address, Burnham suggested tonight ‘could be the turning point’ for the country and the ‘final chance to change’ for the Labour party. It was just six weeks ago, at the local elections, that Labour won just 24 per cent of the vote here in Makerfield. By dint of his stature and status as a PM-designate, Burnham has managed to completely turn that around, winning a majority of almost 10,000 on a 23-point swing. He…

Labour tries to unite — so Farage can't wreck their ... - POLITICO LONDON — Labour’s warring factions can at least agree on one thing: Nigel Farage risks throwing their plans to topple Keir Starmer into disarray. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham looks to have emerged from an bitter internecine battle this week as the best contender to dislodge the deeply unpopular Labour prime minister from office. But to challenge the PM he must first win a by-election in northwest England that promises to be a political circus like no other. Advertisement Farage has vowed to “throw absolutely everything” at the battle to win Makerfield, which is expected next month. There’s good reason to think his surging Reform UK party could win. Farage’s poll-topping band effectively deployed a “Vote Reform. Get Starmer Out” slogan to triumph at recent local elections. “You can’t really use that line in a campaign where the Labour candidate is objectively doing that in a much neater way,” said one MP in the region, who was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive party matters. This will be a case of “Vote Burnham. Potentially Get Starmer Out,” whether the Labour campaign can explicitly say it or not. Eve…

Voters go to polls in crunch by-election for Starmer’s leadership By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour Party candidate Andy Burnham is hoping to become PM (Gary Oakley/PA) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Voters will go to the polls in Makerfield on Thursday in what could be one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history. Andy Burnham is standing as Labour’s candidate in the Greater Manchester constituency with the hope of returning to Parliament to oust Sir Keir Starmer and replace him as Prime Minister. Sir Keir said on Wednesday he was willing to offer the Mayor of Greater Manchester a “big” job in his Government, should Mr Burnham win when Thursday’s votes are counted. But allies of Mr Burnham said he was not interested in the offer, insisting “the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government’s failings”. Mr Burnham and his allies are reported to be hoping for a “coronation” in which Sir Keir stands aside, rather t…

Burnham will make good PM, Starmer says as nominations for new leader open By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Nominations have opened for the Labour leadership, with Andy Burnham still almost certain to be the only candidate to replace Sir Keir Starmer (Peter Byrne/PA) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Sir Keir Starmer has said Andy Burnham will make a good prime minister as Labour MPs begin formally nominating his successor. Mr Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, is the only declared candidate for the Labour leadership and appears to be on course for a coronation within two weeks. As nominations formally opened on Thursday, the Prime Minister praised his likely successor. Asked whether Mr Burnham would make a good prime minister, Sir Keir told reporters: “Yes, I do. “I have known him a long time, I’ve worked with him when I first came to Parliament, in his team directly.” The Prime Minister said he had worked closely with Mr Burnham on the Investigatory Powers Bill when the latte…

Burnham to pledge 'circuit-breaker' for Britain in devolution and ... Nina Lloyd,Press Association Political Correspondent Labour leadership frontrunner Andy Burnham will pledge to give Britain the “circuit-breaker it needs” in a major speech unveiling his plans for devolution and the economy. The Makerfield MP will confirm a flagship proposal to create a “No 10” in the North and ambitions for “good growth in every postcode” with what allies say is the biggest transfer of power out of Whitehall in modern times. In a speech in Manchester on Monday, the former metro mayor will call for decision-making to be pushed back into local communities as part of his vision to “lift Britain back up”. In a sign he hopes to fight and win at least two general elections, he will set out a “10-year mission” aimed at raising living standards through reindustrialisation, housing, infrastructure and reform of essential utilities. Mr Burnham, who served as a minister and on the Opposition frontbench before becoming a regional mayor in 2017, will suggest his generation of politicians – himself included – must take responsibility for the loss of public trust in politics. He is expected to commit to…

Mayor Burnham: Labour MPs privately urge me to challenge Starmer Mayor Burnham: Labour MPs privately urge me to challenge Starmer By Nina Lloyd and Sophie Wingate Published 25th Sep 2025, 07:31 BST Andy Burnham has said MPs are privately urging him to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership in an intervention likely to fuel speculation he could be seeking a return to Westminster. The Greater Manchester Mayor and former Leigh MP accused Downing Street of creating a “climate of fear” and said “wholesale change” was required to see off an “existential” threat to the ruling party. And he set out his vision for how to “turn the country around”, including higher council tax on some homes in southern England and a 50p top rate of income tax, in an interview with the Telegraph. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Burnham said there was a “huge underpayment of tax that should now be corrected” in London and the South East because the rates were based on property valuations from 1991. The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham on a visit to Wigan Cotton Works earlier this year The Prime Minister has had a bruising few weeks in which two high-profile Government depa…

Votes being counted in Makerfield contest which could pave way for Burnham PM bid By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Votes are counted at the Edge Wigan for the Makerfield by-election which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons. Picture date: Thursday June 18, 2026. This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Votes are being counted in the by-election that could see Andy Burnham return to Westminster and challenge for the Labour leadership. The Greater Manchester mayor hopes to stave off the challenge of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history. If Mr Burnham succeeds in holding the Makerfield seat for Labour, he is expected to use his return to the Commons to launch an effort to oust Sir Keir Starmer. Votes are counted for the Makerfield by-election (Peter Byrne/PA) He said the Makerfield campaign was a “vote to change politics” and vowed to “take that fight as high as I can possibly take it”. Reform’s Robert Kenyon represents the mai…

Makerfield by-election: Race for UK leadership looms after Prime ... - CNN UK See all topics Facebook Tweet Email Link Threads Link Copied! Follow Summary Andy Burnham won a by-election to return to the UK parliament, positioning him to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for Labour leadership. The by-election was specifically triggered to allow Burnham, the popular Manchester mayor, to re-enter parliament and potentially run for prime minister. Burnham defeated a challenge from right-wing opponents in a constituency where Labour has suffered losses amid Starmer's declining popularity nationally. AI-generated summary was reviewed by a CNN editor. Wigan, United Kingdom — UK politician Andy Burnham could now challenge British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the leadership of the governing Labour Party, and the country, having resoundingly won the election as the Member of Parliament for Makerfield. Thursday’s by-election - the equivalent of a special election in the US - was triggered with the sole purpose of providing a path to 10 Downing Street for Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester who is widely seen as the Labour politician best placed to unseat the embattled Prime Minis…

Andy Burnham says Makerfield win can be ‘turning point’ for British politics By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments 3 Skip to next photo 1 / 1 Show caption 1 / 1 0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham said Labour had a “final chance to change” after his decisive win in the Makerfield by-election set up a showdown with Sir Keir Starmer. Allies of Mr Burnham called on the Prime Minister to hand over power after he defied national trends to increase Labour’s share of the vote in a seat where Nigel Farage’s Reform UK made sweeping gains in last month’s local elections. The Prime Minister has insisted he will not quit and will fight any leadership challenge. Mr Burnham defeated Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by 9,231 votes, up from 5,399 in 2024, and Labour’s vote share increased by 9.61%. In his victory speech he urged his party to act now, saying there would be no second chance. He said: “Everyone knows that politics isn’t working. “Everyone can feel that the country isn’t where it shou…

Voters go to polls in crunch by-election for Starmer’s leadership By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour Party candidate Andy Burnham is hoping to become PM (Gary Oakley/PA) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Voters will go to the polls in Makerfield on Thursday in what could be one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history. Andy Burnham is standing as Labour’s candidate in the Greater Manchester constituency with the hope of returning to Parliament to oust Sir Keir Starmer and replace him as Prime Minister. Sir Keir said on Wednesday he was willing to offer the Mayor of Greater Manchester a “big” job in his Government, should Mr Burnham win when Thursday’s votes are counted. But allies of Mr Burnham said he was not interested in the offer, insisting “the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government’s failings”. Mr Burnham and his allies are reported to be hoping for a “coronation” in which Sir Keir stands aside, rather t…

Makerfield by-election results LIVE as Andy Burnham smashes Reform ... Comments News John Scheerhout Crime reporter and Stephen Topping Senior reporter Updated 06:49, 19 Jun 2026 Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield by-election by a huge margin , paving the way for a battle for the leadership of the Labour Party. The new Labour MP polled 54% of the total vote, receiving a whopping 24,927 votes. Reform's candidate, Rob Kenyon, came next with 15,696 - which was 34% of vote share. Restore's Rebecca Shepherd won 3,111 votes, which was a share of 6%. In his victory speech , Mr Burnham said: "Everyone knows that politics isn't working. Everyone can feel that the country isn't where it should be. Tonight could, just could, be the turning point." Click here for our dedicated Makerfield by-election newsletter with exclusive interviews and analysis He added: "We must now take this path, and put this country back on the right path, and bring people back together and get things working properly again." The result was declared shortly after 3am on Friday morning. Turnout for the by-election was nearly 59 per cent - higher than the 2024 by-election. The by-election was called following the sudde…

Burnham should be heard ‘at top of politics’ if he wins Makerfield, says Nandy By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour candidate Andy Burnham surrounded by supporters at the Stubshaw Cross Community and Sports Club in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, as voting is underway in the Makerfield by-election, which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons. Picture This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham is likely to discuss the Labour leadership situation directly with Sir Keir Starmer if he wins the Makerfield by-election, a Cabinet minister said. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said Mr Burnham deserves to be heard “loud and clear at the top of politics” if he succeeds in fighting off the challenge from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in the seat. If Mr Burnham does hold Makerfield for Labour, he is expected to use his return to the Commons to launch an effort to oust the Prime Minister. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy praised Andy Burnham’s ability to win voters back from Reform (Jonathan Brady/PA) …

Andy Burnham’s allies ‘want Starmer to hand over power in September’ By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments 2 Skip to next photo 1 / 1 Show caption 1 / 1 0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham’s allies believe Sir Keir Starmer should set out a timetable to hand over the premiership in September to avoid jeopardising Labour’s prospects in the Greater Manchester mayoral race, it is understood. The leadership hopeful’s victory in the Makerfield by-election has set up a battle for No 10 as the Prime Minister made clear he will fight any challenge to his position earlier on Friday. Supporters close to the outgoing Greater Manchester mayor are not seeking an immediate transfer of power as they want time to prepare for governing in the event that he succeeds in ousting Sir Keir, it is understood. Mr Burnham’s election on Friday as the MP for Makerfield also means he is giving up the mayoral role he has held since 2017, with a contest to replace him set for July 30. Reform UK, who made …

Makerfield by-election odds and latest polls: Labour, Reform and ... Andy Burnham launches Makerfield by-election campaign The battle for Makerfield is no ordinary by-election. Andy Burnham , currently the mayor of Greater Manchester, is standing as Labour’s candidate in an effort to return to Parliament as an MP. If he wins, then he is expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership , although he may not launch his bid immediately. It means this by-election could help decide who runs the country as Prime Minister. But Mr Burnham faces a challenge from Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage , who are going all-out to win the seat and stop his leadership ambitions in their tracks. To make the contest even more interesting, Reform is fighting a battle against Restore Britain, the party led by Rupert Lowe, Mr Lowe, the MP for Great Yarmouth, used to be a Reform MP but had a spectacular falling out with Mr Farage and now leads his own party. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Reform warns Labour against treating Makerfield as 'pawn' in civil warn BBC fans fume political editor ‘needs to go’ after one Andy Burnham question Get the latest politics news - straight from our te…

Burnham to pledge 'circuit-breaker' for Britain in devolution and ... News | Politics Burnham to pledge ‘circuit-breaker’ for Britain in devolution and economy speech The Makerfield MP will confirm a flagship proposal to create a ‘No 10’ in the North and ambitions for ‘good growth in every postcode’. Andy Burnham will give a major speech on Monday (PA) PA Wire Nina Lloyd 4 minutes ago Labour leadership frontrunner Andy Burnham will pledge to give Britain the “circuit-breaker it needs” in a major speech unveiling his plans for devolution and the economy. The Makerfield MP will confirm a flagship proposal to create a “No 10” in the North and ambitions for “good growth in every postcode” with what allies say is the biggest transfer of power out of Whitehall in modern times. In a sign he hopes to fight and win at least two general elections, he will set out a “10-year mission” aimed at raising living standards through reindustrialisation, housing, infrastructure and reform of essential utilities. In a speech in Manchester on Monday, the former metro mayor will call for decision-making to be pushed back into local communities as part of his vision to “lift Britain back up”. Mr Burnham,…

The clock is ticking: Burnham allies give Starmer 72 hours to ... - LBC The clock is ticking: Burnham allies give Starmer 72 hours to stand down or face full-blown coup 19 Jun 2026, 17:52 | Updated: 2d ago Share Facebook WhatsApp Email Link Copied Link CheckCircle Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been issued a damning ultimatum. Picture: Getty By Jacob Paul Andy Burnham’s allies have reportedly given Sir Keir Starmer a 72 hour ultimatum to stand down as PM or face a full-blown coup after the former Manchester Mayor’s decisive by-election win in Makerfield. Listen to this article Loading audio... Some supporters close to the outgoing Manchester mayor want Sir Keir to quit by Monday, sources told the Daily Mail. It comes after Mr Burnham secured a 9,231 majority and a 54.8 per cent share of the vote in the Makerfield by-election , piling mounting pressure on a beleaguered PM whose future now hangs in the balance. But other allies of Mr Burnham are reportedly not seeking an immediate transfer of power. They reportedly want time to prepare for governing in the event that he succeeds in ousting Sir Keir. Instead, they want the PM to set out a timetable to depart in September, with some…

What Andy Burnham has said about Trump as Keir Starmer resigns By Alia Shoaib News Reporter 0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Keir Starmer announced his resignation as British prime minister and Labour leader on Monday, paving the way for a leadership contest that could see Andy Burnham emerge as his successor. The Greater Manchester mayor, a popular Labour Party figure, returned to Parliament with a decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election last week, removing a key obstacle to a potential bid to become Britain’s next prime minister. If Burnham ultimately succeeds Starmer, his previous comments about President Donald Trump could raise questions about the future of the U.K.-U.S. relationship. Read More on Politics Burnham has previously warned about the "poisonous" nature of American-style politics and said Trump has brought "instability" to the U.S. and the world. Newsweek contacted the White House for comment via email on Friday. ... Trump Brings 'Instability' to US and World Speaking during the final days of the Makerfield campaign on Ju…

Andy Burnham says MPs want him to oust Starmer - four ways he could ... close Cancel email X WhatsApp Facebook link share Share bookmark Save Andy Burnham has said Labour MPs are privately urging him to challenge Keir Starmer to become prime minister. In an intervention likely to increase speculation that he is seeking a return to Westminster , Burnham accused Downing Street of creating a “climate of fear” and spreading “alienation and demoralisation” among MPs. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph before the Labour conference this weekend, the Greater Manchester mayor said he was not “plotting to get back” but confirmed he still harboured the ambition to become prime minister, saying: “I stood twice to be leader of the Labour Party . And I think that tells you, doesn’t it?” The interventions have left open questions about how, in practise, Burnham could seek to oust Starmer and lead the Labour Party. How Labour leadership races work Labour’s leadership elections follow strict procedures. A contest is triggered if the leader resigns or the post is declared vacant. Unlike the Conservative Party, Labour has no binding mechanism for MPs to remove the leader directly. Labour MPs may pass m…

Counting of votes under way in crucial UK by-election - RTÉ Updated / Thursday, 18 Jun 2026 23:25 Votes are counted at the Edge Wigan for the Makerfield by-election The counting of votes is under way in Makerfield in northwest England, after voters took part in what could be one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history. Andy Burnham, who is standing as Labour's candidate in the Greater Manchester constituency with the hope of returning to parliament to oust Keir Starmer as prime minister, urged people to "vote to change politics". Mr Starmer said yesterday he was willing to offer the Mayor of Greater Manchester a "big" job in his government, should Mr Burnham win when the votes are counted. But allies of Mr Burnham said he was not interested in the offer, insisting "the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the government’s failings". Makerfield Count Centre, one hour in... pic.twitter.com/HOuIL7AVn4 — seanwhelanRTE (@seanwhelanRTE) June 18, 2026 Mr Burnham and his allies are reported to be hoping for a "coronation" in which Mr Starmer stands aside, rather than a leadership contest, which they believe would be damagin…

Andy Burnham’s allies ‘want Starmer to hand over power in September’ By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments 2 Skip to next photo 1 / 1 Show caption 1 / 1 0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham’s allies believe Sir Keir Starmer should set out a timetable to hand over the premiership in September to avoid jeopardising Labour’s prospects in the Greater Manchester mayoral race, it is understood. The leadership hopeful’s victory in the Makerfield by-election has set up a battle for No 10 as the Prime Minister made clear he will fight any challenge to his position earlier on Friday. Supporters close to the outgoing Greater Manchester mayor are not seeking an immediate transfer of power as they want time to prepare for governing in the event that he succeeds in ousting Sir Keir, it is understood. Mr Burnham’s election on Friday as the MP for Makerfield also means he is giving up the mayoral role he has held since 2017, with a contest to replace him set for July 30. Reform UK, who made …

Burnham should be heard ‘at top of politics’ if he wins Makerfield, says Nandy By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour candidate Andy Burnham surrounded by supporters at the Stubshaw Cross Community and Sports Club in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, as voting is underway in the Makerfield by-election, which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons. Picture This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham is likely to discuss the Labour leadership situation directly with Sir Keir Starmer if he wins the Makerfield by-election, a Cabinet minister said. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said Mr Burnham deserves to be heard “loud and clear at the top of politics” if he succeeds in fighting off the challenge from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in the seat. If Mr Burnham does hold Makerfield for Labour, he is expected to use his return to the Commons to launch an effort to oust the Prime Minister. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy praised Andy Burnham’s ability to win voters back from Reform (Jonathan Brady/PA) …

Labour should win next election under Burnham after work already done, Starmer says <p>Prime minister holds no ‘personal animosity’ toward Burnham and emphasises success at improving NHS waiting lists and ‘stabilising economy’</p><p>Labour “should go on to win the next election” under his likely successor, Andy Burnham, Keir Starmer has said, based on what he has achieved while in power.</p><p>In his first interview since he announced he will quit as prime minister, Starmer also said he held no “personal animosity” toward Burnham, who is expected to succeed him.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jul/04/labour-win-next-election-under-burnham-keir-starmer">Continue reading...</a>

Makerfield by-election live: Burnham faces anxious wait for path back ... What can or can't you do inside a polling station Andy Burnham faces an anxious wait for the results of the Makerfield by-election, with the outcome set to decide whether he can challenge Sir Keir Starmer to become prime minister. Politicians have been at polling stations and greeting supporters in the Wigan constituency all day, where the result has long been forecast to be a close contest between Labour ’s Andy Burnham and Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage arrived at a polling station alongside Mr Kenyon on Thursday, while Mr Burnham urged voters to “for ever associate this area with having brought a change to British politics”. If former health secretary Mr Burnham wins, he is expected to challenge Sir Keir for the party leadership. But Mr Kenyon also has had strong support in polls since the by-election was announced. Reform is worried about losing voters to Rupert Lowe’s party, Restore Britain , which takes a harder line on migration. Wes Streeting, also an ex-health secretary, says if Mr Burnham stands against Sir Keir, he will join the contest. The list of candidates is here . P…

Andy Burnham’s allies ‘want Starmer to hand over power in September’ By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments 2 Skip to next photo 1 / 1 Show caption 1 / 1 0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham’s allies believe Sir Keir Starmer should set out a timetable to hand over the premiership in September to avoid jeopardising Labour’s prospects in the Greater Manchester mayoral race, it is understood. The leadership hopeful’s victory in the Makerfield by-election has set up a battle for No 10 as the Prime Minister made clear he will fight any challenge to his position earlier on Friday. Supporters close to the outgoing Greater Manchester mayor are not seeking an immediate transfer of power as they want time to prepare for governing in the event that he succeeds in ousting Sir Keir, it is understood. Mr Burnham’s election on Friday as the MP for Makerfield also means he is giving up the mayoral role he has held since 2017, with a contest to replace him set for July 30. Reform UK, who made …

UK Labour leadership nominations start: Who's running and how it works ... SHARE Contents Recommended Stories What’s taking place? How does the nomination course of work? Who are the doubtless candidates? What does Burnham stand for? What occurs if nobody places themselves ahead besides Burnham? Will there be a basic election? British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement final month that he plans to step down as prime minister and chief of the Labour Party has set in movement the method to pick out his successor. The profitable candidate will take cost of the governing social gathering, which holds a robust majority in parliament, and will turn into the United Kingdom’s seventh prime minister in a decade. Recommended Stories record of three objects finish of record Here’s what you might want to know concerning the Labour leadership choice course of, together with how it works and who’s within the running. What’s taking place? Starmer grew to become prime minister on July 5, 2024, after a landslide Labour election victory following 14 years of Conservative Party rule. He introduced plans to resign on June 22 amid rising stress over painful native election defeats for Labour, …

Starmer facing pressure from Burnham and Streeting allies not to fight leadership challenge <p>One Labour MP said there are about 200 who are prepared – if necessary – to sign Burnham’s nomination papers</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://viewer.gutools.co.uk/politics/live/2026/jun/18/makerfield-byelection-keir-starmer-andy-burnham-robert-kenyon-labour-leadership-reform-aberdeen-arbroath-uk-politics-latest-news-updates">UK politics – live updates</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/17/how-quickly-could-andy-burnham-become-the-uks-prime-minister">How quickly could Burnham become PM?</a></p></li></ul><p>Allies of Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting will ask cabinet ministers, friends and Labour grandees to persuade Keir Starmer over the weekend not to fight a leadership challenge.</p><p>Burnham, who won a compelling majority in the Makerfield byelection overnight, is expected to travel to London on Monday to meet MPs in the expectation of becoming prime minister within weeks.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/19/keir-starmer-pressure-andy-burnham-wes-streeting-allies-not-fight-leadership-challenge">Continue reading...</a>

Burnham should be heard ‘at top of politics’ if he wins Makerfield, says Nandy By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour candidate Andy Burnham surrounded by supporters at the Stubshaw Cross Community and Sports Club in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, as voting is underway in the Makerfield by-election, which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons. Picture This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham is likely to discuss the Labour leadership situation directly with Sir Keir Starmer if he wins the Makerfield by-election, a Cabinet minister said. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said Mr Burnham deserves to be heard “loud and clear at the top of politics” if he succeeds in fighting off the challenge from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in the seat. If Mr Burnham does hold Makerfield for Labour, he is expected to use his return to the Commons to launch an effort to oust the Prime Minister. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy praised Andy Burnham’s ability to win voters back from Reform (Jonathan Brady/PA) …

Andy Burnham is almost guaranteed to be the next prime minister of the United Kingdom after 322 Labour MPs nominated him to take over from Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The total means that there are only 81 Labour MPs left who could nominate another contender, the minimum needed to get on to the ballot. But convention dictates that the outgoing leader does not nominate a candidate, meaning in reality there are no longer enough undeclared MPs to back an alternative to Burnham. The former Greater Manchester mayor secured the nominations  -amounting to 80 per cent of the parliamentary party - by 5pm on Thursday, the first day MPs could formally back a leadership candidate. Even before nominations opened, Burnham seemed almost certain to enjoy a coronation as Labour leader as the only declared candidate in the race to succeed Starmer. But the size of his support in the parliamentary party means even a late challenger now has virtually no hope of securing the required nominations. Starmer said on Thursday as nominations formally opened that Burnham would make a good prime minister. "I have known him a long time, I've worked with him when I first came to parliament, in his team di…

Burnham should be heard ‘at top of politics’ if he wins Makerfield, says Nandy By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments 2 Skip to next photo 1 / 1 Show caption 1 / 1 0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham is likely to discuss the Labour leadership situation directly with Sir Keir Starmer if he wins the Makerfield by-election, a Cabinet minister said. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said Mr Burnham deserves to be heard “loud and clear at the top of politics” if he succeeds in fighting off the challenge from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in the seat. If Mr Burnham does hold Makerfield for Labour, he is expected to use his return to the Commons to launch an effort to oust the Prime Minister. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy praised Andy Burnham’s ability to win voters back from Reform (Jonathan Brady/PA) Ms Nandy, who insisted she still supports the Prime Minister, said Mr Burnham was capable of winning over voters in a way that no other Labour politician could. She said: “If Andy wins tonight I…

Could Burnham’s win mean Starmer’s days in No 10 are numbered? By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour party candidate Andy Burnham at Ashton Town FC in Ashton-in-Makerfield, after winning the Makerfield by-election which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons (Peter Byrne/PA) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham’s return to Westminster sets up a battle for the premiership which could see him oust Sir Keir Starmer from 10 Downing Street after the Prime Minister insisted he would fight any leadership challenge. Here, the Press Association looks at what could happen next: Andy Burnham’s next campaign could be for the Labour leadership and the keys to No 10 (Peter Byrne/PA) – Will a Labour leadership contest be triggered? This would depend on the new MP for Makerfield Mr Burnham, or another leadership hopeful, such as former health secretary Wes Streeting, securing the backing of the 81 Labour MPs – 20% of the party’s strength in the Commons – required to mount a challenge. M…

Streeting prepared to trigger leadership contest as early as next week By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Wes Streeting said he would be prepared to trigger a leadership contest if Sir Keir does not set out a timetable for his departure This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Wes Streeting indicated he is prepared to trigger a Labour leadership contest as early as next week as he urged Sir Keir Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure if Andy Burnham wins this week’s Makerfield by-election. The former health secretary insisted he has the backing of the 80 MPs required to stand in a contest as he accused Sir Keir of not listening to the party or his Cabinet in a series of public appearances on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said he would prove his rivals wrong and “carry on with what I was elected to do” and “bring back the change that people desperately need” as he fights for his political future. Wes Streeting said he plans to stand in a Labour leadership contest if one is triggered…

Starmer under pressure to quit after Burnham’s by-election win By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Andy Burnham’s victory has prompted more Labour figures to publicly call on Sir Keir Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure from Downing Street (Peter Byrne/PA) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Sir Keir Starmer faces pressure to set out plans to quit Downing Street over the weekend after Andy Burnham stormed to victory in the Makerfield by-election. The Prime Minister has repeatedly vowed to fight any leadership challenge, insisting he will not “walk away”. But Mr Burnham’s by-election victory has prompted more backbenchers and Labour grandees to call for Sir Keir to stand down. Some MPs who had signed a statement rejecting calls for a leadership election last month have now reversed their position while former home secretary Alan Johnson told LBC his message to the Prime Minister would be: “It’s over, Keir.” Sir Keir is understood to have spoken to a number of Cabinet ministers on Frid…

Andy Burnham wins Makerfield by-election landslide to pave way for ... Andy Burnham has triumphed over Reform and won the Makerfield by-election , securing his return to Westminster and setting up a widely expected challenge to Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership. The Greater Manchester mayor won by a sizeable 9,231 votes , comfortably seeing off the challenge from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in what he hailed as a “turning point” in British politics. The result was met with cheers and applause from Labour campaigners, before Mr Burnham warned Labour “must act” on its “final chance to change” in his victory speech. Mr Burnham will now finally return to Westminster, where he is widely expected to challenge the prime minister and make an official bid for Labour leadership within weeks. Follow reaction from the Makerfield by-election here open image in gallery Labour party candidate Andy Burnham is declared the winner of the Makerfield by-election ( PA ) “Everyone knows that politics isn’t working,” he said. “Everyone can feel that the country isn’t where it should be. Tonight could, just could, be the turning point.” He added: “I do say to my own party: this is a final chance to change. “Thi…

Votes being counted in Makerfield contest which could pave way for Burnham PM bid By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Votes are counted at the Edge Wigan for the Makerfield by-election which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons. Picture date: Thursday June 18, 2026. This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Votes are being counted in the by-election that could see Andy Burnham return to Westminster and challenge for the Labour leadership. The Greater Manchester mayor hopes to stave off the challenge of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history. If Mr Burnham succeeds in holding the Makerfield seat for Labour, he is expected to use his return to the Commons to launch an effort to oust Sir Keir Starmer. Votes are counted for the Makerfield by-election (Peter Byrne/PA) He said the Makerfield campaign was a “vote to change politics” and vowed to “take that fight as high as I can possibly take it”. Reform’s Robert Kenyon represents the mai…

Andy Burnham looks set to become the next prime minister - here's what ... Andy Burnham could become Britain’s next prime minister within a matter of weeks after Wes Streeting said he would back the new Makerfield MP for the top job. Shortly after Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation as prime minister, Mr Streeting’s call for a coronation for Mr Burnham appears to have ended any speculation about a leadership contest and paves the way for the former Manchester mayor to enter No 10 unopposed. There are now growing questions about what the UK might look like with Mr Burnham as the next leader of the Labour Party and prime minister, a scenario many are now expecting. Follow our live blog updates on Sir Keir’s resignation HERE Mr Burnham presented his campaign for Makerfield not just as a vote for its residents, but to “change Labour” and potentially see him lead the country as prime minister. In a speech following his win, Mr Burnham said: “Everyone knows that politics isn’t working. Everyone can feel that the country isn’t where it should be. Tonight could, just could, be the turning point.” He added: “I do say to my own party: this is a final chance to change. “This is what p…

Burnham wins key UK poll, paving way for bid to challenge PM Starmer Share Options LONDON:Veteran UK Labour politician Andy Burnham vowed to put Britain on a new path after winning a crunch by-election Friday as Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to fight any bid to oust him from office. Burnham, a former government minister who has been Greater Manchester mayor since 2017, ensured his return to parliament by easily beating the far-right Reform UK party's candidate in the Makerfield constituency in northwest England. The 56-year-old stalwart of Labour's centre-left is seeking to replace Starmer as party leader and prime minister, and needed to win the high-stakes vote to be in a position to trigger such a contest. "I do say to my own party, this is a final chance to change," Burnham said in his acceptance speech after securing nearly 55 percent of the vote, beating Reform's Robert Kenyon by more than 9,000 ballots. "We've been on path for 40 years that simply hasn't worked for people and places in this part of the world," Burnham told cheering crowds on Friday. "This is the change moment, we have an opportunity to turn the tide," he said, adding: "We're going to lay out a n…

Polls close in Makerfield by-election that could decide Starmer’s future By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments 2 Skip to next photo 1 / 1 Show caption 1 / 1 0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Polls have closed in Makerfield, where voters have taken part in what could be one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history. Andy Burnham, who is standing as Labour’s candidate in the Greater Manchester constituency with the hope of returning to Parliament to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, urged people to “vote to change politics”. Sir Keir said on Wednesday he was willing to offer the Mayor of Greater Manchester a “big” job in his Government, should his rival win when Thursday’s votes are counted. But allies of the mayor said he was not interested, insisting “the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government’s failings”. The Prime Minister has repeatedly insisted he has no intention of standing aside and is underst…

Andy Burnham says Makerfield win can be ‘turning point’ for British politics By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments 3 Skip to next photo 1 / 1 Show caption 1 / 1 0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham said Labour had a “final chance to change” after his decisive win in the Makerfield by-election set up a showdown with Sir Keir Starmer. Allies of Mr Burnham called on the Prime Minister to hand over power after he defied national trends to increase Labour’s share of the vote in a seat where Nigel Farage’s Reform UK made sweeping gains in last month’s local elections. The Prime Minister has insisted he will not quit and will fight any leadership challenge. Mr Burnham defeated Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by 9,231 votes, up from 5,399 in 2024, and Labour’s vote share increased by 9.61%. In his victory speech he urged his party to act now, saying there would be no second chance. He said: “Everyone knows that politics isn’t working. “Everyone can feel that the country isn’t where it shou…

Makerfield vote puts Starmer’s leadership under pressure as Burnham eyes comeback #UKPolitics #LabourParty #KeirStarmer #AndyBurnham #Makerfield #BreakingNews #PoliticsUpdate #Westminster #LeadershipBattle www.easterneye.biz/makerfield-v...

UK's likely next leader Burnham to unveil plan to shift power from ... Reuters British new Member of Parliament (MP) for Makerfield, Andy Burnham, is sworn in at the House of Commons, in London, Britain, June 22, 2026. Andy Burnham , the Labour lawmaker expected to replace Keir Starmer as British prime minister, will outline his vision for Britain on Monday, his office said, promising to change how the nation is governed with power moving from London to the regions. Burnham, who returned to Westminster earlier this month after winning a parliamentary seat, is currently the only declared candidate to take over from Starmer and could be installed in ‌Downing Street ⁠within weeks. Starmer ⁠announced last week he would step down, just two years after winning a huge parliamentary majority for Labour, as his popularity sank. Burnham, who rose to prominence as mayor of Greater Manchester and has been dubbed the "King of the North", will use Monday's speech to make devolving power to regions and local communities his flagship proposal. He will also commit to a 10-year mission to raise living standards through reindustrialisation, housing, infrastructure and reform of utilities. The focus …

‘Astonishing’ win for Andy Burnham puts pressure on Starmer to step aside <p>Size of victory in Makerfield byelection has many allies hoping former Manchester mayor will be installed in No 10 within days</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://viewer.gutools.co.uk/politics/live/2026/jun/18/makerfield-byelection-keir-starmer-andy-burnham-robert-kenyon-labour-leadership-reform-aberdeen-arbroath-uk-politics-latest-news-updates">UK politics – live updates</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/17/how-quickly-could-andy-burnham-become-the-uks-prime-minister">How quickly could Burnham become PM?</a></p></li></ul><p>Speaking hours before polls closed in Makerfield, a Downing Street source acknowledged a rare moment of doubt about the prime minister’s future. “Keir will fight on,” the source said, repeating the message to which Keir Starmer has stuck for several weeks. “Although, that might depend on the size of the majority.”</p><p>In the end, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/19/andy-burnham-wins-makerfield-byelection-paving-way-labour-leadership-challenge">Andy Burnham’s majority</a> was so convincing that allies hope he can be installed i…

Voters go to polls in crunch by-election for Starmer’s leadership By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour Party candidate Andy Burnham is hoping to become PM (Gary Oakley/PA) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Voters will go to the polls in Makerfield on Thursday in what could be one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history. Andy Burnham is standing as Labour’s candidate in the Greater Manchester constituency with the hope of returning to Parliament to oust Sir Keir Starmer and replace him as Prime Minister. Sir Keir said on Wednesday he was willing to offer the Mayor of Greater Manchester a “big” job in his Government, should Mr Burnham win when Thursday’s votes are counted. But allies of Mr Burnham said he was not interested in the offer, insisting “the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government’s failings”. Mr Burnham and his allies are reported to be hoping for a “coronation” in which Sir Keir stands aside, rather t…

Andy Burnham calls for 'strong public control' over industry and AI - CNBC In this article Andy Burnham, the politician who threatens to topple U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership, has called for tighter regulation on AI, Big Tech and key industries if he returns to central government. "Lest we forget: the principal cause of the 2008 crash was a failure of regulation," the Labour Party politician and Mayor of Greater Manchester said in anarticlepublished by U.K. newspaper The Times on Thursday evening. "So how can a new wave of deregulation plausibly be the answer to the problems we have experienced since? This is … the kind of thinking that would doom us to repeat past mistakes and, if we're not careful, prevent us from protecting children by failing to regulate social media, artificial intelligence and big tech." Burnham — who is not yet a sitting member of the U.K. parliament — will run in the June 18 by-election in Makerfield, north-west England. Being elected as a lawmaker in Westminster will clear the way for him to launch a formal leadership challenge to Starmer, whose premiership has been under intense pressure following a crushingdefeatfor the ruling Labour…

Andy Burnham's Ascendance: The Tough Choices Awaiting Britain's Likely ... 50 With Keir Starmer’s resignation triggering a rapid transition of power, Andy Burnham stands on the precipice of the premiership, offering a charismatic alternative to his predecessor’s managerial style. Yet, as the Labour Party prepares for a leadership transition on July 17, the former Greater Manchester Mayor faces an unforgiving economic reality that will test his popularity from day one. The British political landscape has been upended. Following weeks of mounting pressure and acknowledging that he was no longer “best placed” to lead the party into the next general election, Keir Starmer announced his resignation on June 22. In the wake of this vacuum, the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has moved with clinical efficiency to set a leadership timetable. With nominations opening on July 9 and closing a week later, the path is clear for Andy Burnham, the newly elected MP for Makerfield, to potentially be crowned leader at a special conference on July 17. You Might Be Interested In Which Country is Known Has Largest Production of Dry Fruits in the World? Here’s the Answer Which Country …

Burnham wants Starmer to name exit date in days – and to be in No 10 by ... close Cancel email X WhatsApp Facebook link share Share bookmark Save Andy Burnham’s allies want him in Downing Street by September – and will be demanding Sir Keir Starmer name his exit date within days. They are warning that if the Prime Minister has not announced his departure before the Greater Manchester mayoralty by-election, he could cost the party its northern power base. But Starmer has vowed not to “walk away”, saying he “will stand” in any Labour leadership context should one be triggered. It comes as Burnham stormed the Makerfield by-election overnight , taking 24,927 votes to brush aside Reform’s Robert Kenyon on 15,696 – a result his supporters are already calling the first step of his march to No 10. Shorts Why London Marathon will be expanded to two-day event The 10 best and worst cities for house price growth Amber heat health alerts in place – here’s where Four things to know as Iran-US peace talks cancelled What to know after boy injured in zoo crocodile enclosure The form of dangerous cholesterol we can finally treat How soon Burnham could become PM – who will challenge him The signs yo…

Could Burnham’s win mean Starmer’s days in No 10 are numbered? By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour party candidate Andy Burnham at Ashton Town FC in Ashton-in-Makerfield, after winning the Makerfield by-election which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons (Peter Byrne/PA) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham’s return to Westminster sets up a battle for the premiership which could see him oust Sir Keir Starmer from 10 Downing Street after the Prime Minister insisted he would fight any leadership challenge. Here, the Press Association looks at what could happen next: Andy Burnham’s next campaign could be for the Labour leadership and the keys to No 10 (Peter Byrne/PA) – Will a Labour leadership contest be triggered? This would depend on the new MP for Makerfield Mr Burnham, or another leadership hopeful, such as former health secretary Wes Streeting, securing the backing of the 81 Labour MPs – 20% of the party’s strength in the Commons – required to mount a challenge. M…

Andy Burnham says Makerfield win can be ‘turning point’ for British politics By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments 3 Skip to next photo 1 / 1 Show caption 1 / 1 0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham said Labour had a “final chance to change” after his decisive win in the Makerfield by-election set up a showdown with Sir Keir Starmer. Allies of Mr Burnham called on the Prime Minister to hand over power after he defied national trends to increase Labour’s share of the vote in a seat where Nigel Farage’s Reform UK made sweeping gains in last month’s local elections. The Prime Minister has insisted he will not quit and will fight any leadership challenge. Mr Burnham defeated Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by 9,231 votes, up from 5,399 in 2024, and Labour’s vote share increased by 9.61%. In his victory speech he urged his party to act now, saying there would be no second chance. He said: “Everyone knows that politics isn’t working. “Everyone can feel that the country isn’t where it shou…

Voters go to polls in crunch by-election for Starmer’s leadership By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour Party candidate Andy Burnham is hoping to become PM (Gary Oakley/PA) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Voters will go to the polls in Makerfield on Thursday in what could be one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history. Andy Burnham is standing as Labour’s candidate in the Greater Manchester constituency with the hope of returning to Parliament to oust Sir Keir Starmer and replace him as Prime Minister. Sir Keir said on Wednesday he was willing to offer the Mayor of Greater Manchester a “big” job in his Government, should Mr Burnham win when Thursday’s votes are counted. But allies of Mr Burnham said he was not interested in the offer, insisting “the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government’s failings”. Mr Burnham and his allies are reported to be hoping for a “coronation” in which Sir Keir stands aside, rather t…

Starmer rival seeks win in UK poll pivotal to PM's fate - Nst ASHTON-IN-MAKERFIELD: Britain holds a unique vote on Thursday that could trigger the endgame for Labour leader Keir Starmer's beleaguered premiership, or win him a reprieve. Labour party veteran and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is looking to triumph in a parliamentary by-election so that he can then try to replace Starmer as prime minister. Pollsters expect Burnham to win the historic contest to represent the Makerfield constituency in northwest England, but he faces a tough fight from the hard-right Reform UK party. "Almost undoubtedly it's in the hands of the voters of Makerfield as to whether or not Burnham becomes prime minister," political scientist John Curtice. "If Burnham does win, his path to 10 Downing Street looks to be relatively assured. If they deny him the opportunity, it may be that Starmer will survive, at least for the time being," he told AFP. Starmer, in power since July 2024, has been clinging to power by his fingernails since Labour suffered a drubbing in local and regional elections last month. He has been rocked by several policy U-turns and a scandal over his appointment of ex-Jef…

Andy Burnham says Makerfield win can be ‘turning point’ for British politics By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments 6 Skip to next photo 1 / 1 Show caption 1 / 1 0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham said Labour had a “final chance to change” after his decisive win in the Makerfield by-election set up a showdown with Sir Keir Starmer. Allies of Mr Burnham called on the Prime Minister to hand over power after he defied national trends to increase Labour’s share of the vote in a seat where Nigel Farage’s Reform UK made sweeping gains in last month’s local elections. The Prime Minister, who has insisted he will not quit and will fight any leadership challenge, praised his rival’s victory, writing on social media: “Congratulations, @AndyBurnhamGM, Labour’s new MP for Makerfield. Voters chose Labour’s campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate.” Mr Burnham defeated Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by 9,231 votes, up from 5,399 in 2024, and Labour’s vote share increased by 9.61%. …

Starmer warns Burnham against ‘chaos’ of a leadership challenge By PA News Published: 10:01, 15 June 2026 | Updated: 11:12, 15 June 2026 Sir Keir Starmer warned Andy Burnham not to throw the country into “chaos” by launching a leadership challenge if he wins a return to Westminster. The Greater Manchester mayor hopes to win Thursday’s Makerfield by-election and could then launch a campaign to replace Sir Keir as prime minister and Labour leader. Sir Keir insisted he would fight any leadership challenge but acknowledged voters’ frustrations with the lack of progress in his efforts to change the country. Andy Burnham could challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the keys to No 10 if he wins a return to Westminster (Yui Mok/PA) “I don’t think we should have a challenge, because I think it’ll throw the country into chaos,” he told ITV’s This Morning. “If there is a challenge, I will fight. I’m not going to walk away from this. “We won a landslide victory just two years ago with a clear mandate to change the country, that’s a five-year mandate.” Sir Keir’s premiership has been under pressure since Labour’s drubbing in May’s local and devolved elections. Mr Burnham would need to secure the backin…

Streeting warns Starmer he could trigger Labour leadership contest next ... Wes Streeting has indicated he could pull the trigger on a leadership challenge as early as next week, as the upcoming by-election in Makerfield looms over Sir Keir Starmer’s position. The former health secretary publicly criticised the prime minister on Tuesday, as he insisted he has the support of the 80 MPs needed to officially launch a leadership contest next week if Sir Keir has not yet set out a timetable for his departure. The ultimatum comes ahead of this week’s crucial by-election in Makerfield , which could see Labour’s Andy Burnham claim victory, paving his way to return to Westminster and challenge Sir Keir. The mayor of Greater Manchester is widely believed to be the prime minister’s most likely successor, having confirmed he would trigger a contest if he were to win the contest this week. Mr Streeting expressed his hope that Sir Keir would use the weekend to reflect and choose to depart "on his own terms" following the vote. But pressed on whether he would trigger a contest he stayed put, the ex-cabinet minister told BBC Newsnight: “We can’t carry on with this uncertainty and paralysis, and t…

Voters go to polls in crunch by-election for Starmer’s leadership By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour Party candidate Andy Burnham is hoping to become PM (Gary Oakley/PA) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Voters will go to the polls in Makerfield on Thursday in what could be one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history. Andy Burnham is standing as Labour’s candidate in the Greater Manchester constituency with the hope of returning to Parliament to oust Sir Keir Starmer and replace him as Prime Minister. Sir Keir said on Wednesday he was willing to offer the Mayor of Greater Manchester a “big” job in his Government, should Mr Burnham win when Thursday’s votes are counted. But allies of Mr Burnham said he was not interested in the offer, insisting “the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government’s failings”. Mr Burnham and his allies are reported to be hoping for a “coronation” in which Sir Keir stands aside, rather t…

Leadership Change Is Coming | TEAM LEWIS UK | London By Darren Mason Published on June 19, 2026 Share In the end, the result was not even close. Andy Burnham won the pivotal Makerfield by-election with nearly 55% of the vote. He increased Labour’s vote share from the 2024 General Election with a higher turnout. The change Burnham has promised clearly captivated Makerfield’s voters. There are no caveats to his victory. So, what happens now, and what should businesses be doing? Things will likely move quickly in the days and weeks ahead. Such a comfortable result in Makerfield has led to many in Labour believing there should be a swift move, with a belief that Burnham should be elected leader without a contest and become Prime Minister in the coming weeks. This will be tested in frenetic conversations in the coming days. Keir Starmer has been quick out the blocks to say he will contest a leadership election, as he is entitled to as sitting Leader. Wes Streeting, the former Health Secretary, has similarly outlined his intention to contest the election in a “battle of ideas” and is adamant he has the 81 names needed. What is clear, is that this weekend will see Labour lumin…

Mohan Sinha22 Jun 2026, 11:39 GMT+10 LONDON, U.K.: Andy Burnham from the Labour Party, who is currently the mayor of Greater Manchester, has won a special election to become a Member of Parliament. This win puts him in a strong position to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for leadership. Burnham clearly defeated Rob Kenyon from the anti-immigration Reform UK party to win the Makerfield seat in northwest England. The result, announced early Friday, strengthens Burnham's position as a leading candidate to replace Starmer as Labour leader and possibly become prime minister. The 56-year-old politician, known as the "King of the North," received nearly 55 percent of the 45,510 votes cast, finishing more than 9,000 votes ahead of Kenyon. In his victory speech, Burnham made it clear that he aims to lead the country, not just serve as one of over 400 Labour MPs in the 650-seat Parliament. He said that people feel politics is not working and that the country is not in a good place, adding that this moment could be a turning point. Starmer, who has said he will fight any leadership challenge, congratulated Burnham and said voters chose Labour's message of hope and unity over divisio…

A special election in the UK could hasten the rise of Andy Burnham ... Britain's Reform Party leader Nigel Farage and local candidate Rob Kenyon flash a thumbs up at a polling station fduring the by-election in Makerfield, England, Thursday, June 18, 2026. Jon Super/AP Photo/Jon Super Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell walks past the headquarters during the by-election in Makerfield, England, Thursday, June 18, 2026 where voters are choosing a new lawmaker with Andy Burnham of the Labour Party as the leading contender. Jon Super/AP Photo/Jon Super Britain's Labour candidate Andy Burnham stands in front of supporters during the by-election in Makerfield, England, Thursday, June 18, 2026 where voters are choosing a new lawmaker with Andy Burnham of the Labour Party as the leading contender. Jon Super/AP Photo/Jon Super A voter waits outside the Hindley Community Fire station which is converted into a polling station for the by-election in Makerfield, England, Thursday, June 18, 2026 where voters are choosing a new lawmaker with Andy Burnham of the Labour Party as the leading contender. Jon Super/AP Photo/Jon Super Labour Party campaigners take a selfie at their headquarters during t…

Andy Burnham is running in a UK election that could make him … Nearly 75,000 voters in Ashton-in-Makerfield will cast ballots in a contest that may well pick the UK’s next prime minister, or plunge Britain’s febrile politics into even more turmoil. (AP video shot by Kwiyeon Ha) Andy Burnham smiles during a campaign visit to Ashton-in-Makerfield before the forthcoming by-election, in Manchester, England, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. CORRECTION: corrects family name to Burnham instead of Bunham (AP Photo/Jon Super) Andy Burnham speaks with police personnel during a campaign visit to the town of Ashton-in-Makerfield before the forthcoming Makerfield by-election, in Greater Manchester, England, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super) Campaign posters for Andy Burnham and for the Reform UK party are displayed in the town of Ashton-in-Makerfield before the forthcoming Makerfield by-election, in Greater Manchester, England, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super) Campaign posters for Andy Burnham and the Reform UK party are displayed in the town of Ashton-in-Makerfield before the forthcoming Makerfield by-election, in Greater Manchester, England, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Jo…

Voters go to polls in crunch by-election for Starmer’s leadership By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour Party candidate Andy Burnham is hoping to become PM (Gary Oakley/PA) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Voters will go to the polls in Makerfield on Thursday in what could be one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history. Andy Burnham is standing as Labour’s candidate in the Greater Manchester constituency with the hope of returning to Parliament to oust Sir Keir Starmer and replace him as Prime Minister. Sir Keir said on Wednesday he was willing to offer the Mayor of Greater Manchester a “big” job in his Government, should Mr Burnham win when Thursday’s votes are counted. But allies of Mr Burnham said he was not interested in the offer, insisting “the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government’s failings”. Mr Burnham and his allies are reported to be hoping for a “coronation” in which Sir Keir stands aside, rather t…

Voters go to polls in crunch by-election for Starmer’s leadership By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour Party candidate Andy Burnham is hoping to become PM (Gary Oakley/PA) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Voters will go to the polls in Makerfield on Thursday in what could be one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history. Andy Burnham is standing as Labour’s candidate in the Greater Manchester constituency with the hope of returning to Parliament to oust Sir Keir Starmer and replace him as Prime Minister. Sir Keir said on Wednesday he was willing to offer the Mayor of Greater Manchester a “big” job in his Government, should Mr Burnham win when Thursday’s votes are counted. But allies of Mr Burnham said he was not interested in the offer, insisting “the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government’s failings”. Mr Burnham and his allies are reported to be hoping for a “coronation” in which Sir Keir stands aside, rather t…

Andy Burnham: The charismatic mayor who's likely to be Britain ... - CNN Former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham speaks at Ashton Town Football Club on June 19 in Ashton-in-Makerfield, England. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images UK People in entertainment See all topics Facebook Tweet Email Link Threads Link Copied! Follow London — Former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham seems poised to succeed Keir Starmer after the UK prime minister announced his resignation on Monday, and is widely considered the frontrunner for the role. Just days ago, Burnham won a crucial by-election, the equivalent of a US special election, in Makerfield , northwest England, which had been triggered with the sole purpose of allowing him to run for the leadership as a sitting member of parliament. Burnham had not even taken his seat in parliament before crushing pressure within the party prompted Starmer’s resignation – and the popular politician’s confirmation he would seek the top job. Less than two years after Labour won a landslide election, Starmer’s authority has crumbled, while Nigel Farage’s populist right-wing party Reform UK and the populist left-wing Green Party have surged in opinion poll…

UK's likely next leader Burnham to unveil plan to shift power from London British new Member of Parliament for Makerfield, Andy Burnham, attends his swearing-in ceremony at the House of Commons on Monday, in London, Britain.  (House of Commons) X Email Reddit SMS By Michael Holden Reuters LONDON – Andy Burnham, the Labour lawmaker expected to replace Keir Starmer as British prime minister, will outline his vision for Britain on Monday, his office said, promising to change how the nation is governed with power moving from ​London to the regions. Burnham, who returned to Westminster earlier this month after winning a parliamentary seat, is currently the only declared candidate to take over from Starmer ⁠and could be installed in Downing Street within weeks. Starmer announced last week he would step down, just two ‌years after winning a huge parliamentary majority for ​Labour, as his popularity sank. Burnham, who rose to prominence as mayor of Greater Manchester and has been dubbed the “King of the North,” will use Monday’s speech to make devolving power to regions and local communities his flagship proposal. He ⁠will also commit to a 10-year mission to raise ‌living standards throu…

Andy Burnham declares for first time he would challenge Keir Starmer for Labour leadership | The National Andy Burnham says he will challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership, despite holding back from saying he would trigger a contest. The Greater Manchester Mayor, widely seen as the main rival to Mr Starmer , said a vote for him in Makerfield would be a vote to “change Labour”, but has not explicitly said he would launch a bid until now. His statement, during a BBC Question Time by-election special, drew criticism from the Prime Minister . Mr Starmer's spokesperson said the Prime Minister would not walk away from his mandate and the country wanted the Labour Party to focus on governing, not internal debates. Will it be third time lucky for 'King of the North' Andy Burnham? Read More Arrow While Mr Burnham’s intention to become prime minister this summer is no secret , his statement is the first time he has explicitly said he would seek to enter a contest to replace Mr Starmer. It sets up the prospect that the UK could have another change of leader within months, if Mr Burnham becomes eligible to challenge for the premiership by winning the Makerfield by-election on June 18…

Andy Burnham’s allies ‘want Starmer to hand over power in September’ By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments 2 Skip to next photo 1 / 1 Show caption 1 / 1 0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham’s allies believe Sir Keir Starmer should set out a timetable to hand over the premiership in September to avoid jeopardising Labour’s prospects in the Greater Manchester mayoral race, it is understood. The leadership hopeful’s victory in the Makerfield by-election has set up a battle for No 10 as the Prime Minister made clear he will fight any challenge to his position earlier on Friday. Supporters close to the outgoing Greater Manchester mayor are not seeking an immediate transfer of power as they want time to prepare for governing in the event that he succeeds in ousting Sir Keir, it is understood. Mr Burnham’s election on Friday as the MP for Makerfield also means he is giving up the mayoral role he has held since 2017, with a contest to replace him set for July 30. Reform UK, who made …

UK's Starmer faces leadership challenge as rival Burnham becomes MP - CNBC In this article Andy Burnham has won a special election to the British parliament, clearing a path for him to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the party leadership. Burnham, Labour's former Greater Manchester mayor, defeated the Reform U.K. party by more than 9,000 votes, taking nearly 55% of the vote, in the election in Makerfield, in north-west England. Burnham could now trigger a leadership challenge to Starmer as soon as next week, once he is formally sworn in as a Member of Parliament. He will require the support of at least 81 Labour lawmakers. A prominent figure on the party's left often dubbed Labour's "King in the North," Burnham said in his victory speech that Makerfield was "not a stepping stone" but a "touchstone," promising to put neglected communities at the center of his politics. In his victory acceptance speech, Burnham appeared to lay the groundwork for a leadership bid. He said the win provides the "chance to build a new politics, based on unity and hope", and an opportunity to turn "away from the path that takes us to a divided, dark politics of the kind we see in the Unit…

Andy Burnham is almost guaranteed to be the next prime minister of the United Kingdom after 322 Labour MPs nominated him to take over from Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The total means that there are only 81 Labour MPs left who could nominate another contender, the minimum needed to get on to the ballot. But convention dictates that the outgoing leader does not nominate a candidate, meaning in reality there are no longer enough undeclared MPs to back an alternative to Burnham. The former Greater Manchester mayor secured the nominations  -amounting to 80 per cent of the parliamentary party - by 5pm on Thursday, the first day MPs could formally back a leadership candidate. Even before nominations opened, Burnham seemed almost certain to enjoy a coronation as Labour leader as the only declared candidate in the race to succeed Starmer. But the size of his support in the parliamentary party means even a late challenger now has virtually no hope of securing the required nominations. Starmer said on Thursday as nominations formally opened that Burnham would make a good prime minister. "I have known him a long time, I've worked with him when I first came to parliament, in his team di…

How Andy Burnham Could Challenge Starmer for UK Prime Minister Published byGlobal Banking & Finance Review Posted on June 19, 2026 · Last updated: June 19, 2026 By Andrew MacAskill and Alistair Smout LONDON, June 19 (Reuters) - Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, won a parliamentary seat on Friday, a vital step towards fulfilling his ambition to replace his party colleague Keir Starmer as Labour leader and Britain's prime minister. The scale of the victory, with 54.8% of the vote, will bolster the view of some in the governing Labour Party that only he can lead Labour to defeat Nigel Farage's populist Reform UK party in a future national election. That could spur the party to seek a coronation for Burnham, forcing Starmer to step aside in a coordinated move rather than embarking on a months-long leadership contest. About a quarter of Starmer's lawmakers have urged the prime minister to resign since his Labour Party last month suffered the heaviest local election losses of any governing party in more than three decades, largely due to a surge in support for Farage's anti-immigration party. Burnham has said he would contest any leadership race, and is the frontrun…

🚨 BREAKING: Andy Burnham confirms he will stand to replace Keir Starmer as PM if he wins the Makerfield by-election "I think Wes Streeting seems to have launched a leadership contest, so if that is running, I would seek to join it"

Andy Burnham confirms he WILL challenge Starmer for No10 ByJAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITORandDAVID WILCOCK, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITORandMARTIN ROBINSON, CHIEF REPORTERandWILL HALLOWELL, NEWS REPORTERandSAM LAWLEY, NEWS REPORTER Published:01:21 EDT, 14 May 2026|Updated:09:42 EDT, 15 May 2026 12k Viewcomments Andy Burnham was sensationally handed a route back to Westminster to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for No10 - by an MP who was a minister and major supporter of the PM until just six weeks ago. Mr Burnham confirmed he wants to contest a by-election in Makerfield in Wigan, after MP Josh Simons, the former tech minister, revealed he would quit so the Greater Manchester mayor could 'return home'. Mr Simons, 32, is the former head of Labour Together, a think tank credited with getting Sir Keir into power in Labour, and only entered Parliament in 2024. And even more astonishingly he was one of Sir Keir's more loyal ministers until March, when he waswas forced to quit after a row over Labour Together spying on journalists. It is being reported the Prime Minister will not seek to block the move, with an ally telling the BBC: 'Keir is focused on bringing the party together so i…

No 10 says Starmer ‘will not walk away’ if Burnham officially enters Labour leadership contest - UK politics live <p>Downing Street responded after Andy Burnham publicly admitted that he would consider launching a bid to become Labour leader</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/04/i-wouldnt-flinch-burnham-on-social-care-markets-brexit-and-the-prospect-of-a-general-election"><strong>‘I wouldn’t flinch’: Burnham on social care, markets, Brexit – and the prospect of a general election</strong></a></p></li></ul><p>Hello and welcome to our UK politics blog.</p><p><strong>David Lammy </strong>has come out in support of the prime minister, saying <strong>Keir Starmer</strong> <strong>would fight in a leadership contest after Andy</strong> <strong>Burnham said he would join one if elected an MP.</strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/jun/05/keir-starmer-andy-burnham-labour-leadership-rivals-makerfield-byelection-latest-news-updates">Continue reading...</a>

Andy Burnham eyes Britain's top job after winning a Parliament seat ... Labour party’s Andy Burnham speaks after winning the Makerfield by-election, paving the way for a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. in Wigan, England, Friday, June 19, 2026.(AP Photo/Jon Super) Andy Burnham, Britain’s Labour candidate for Makerfield, speaks in front of supporters during the by-election in Makerfield, England, Thursday, June 18, 2026 where voters are choosing a new lawmaker with Andy Burnham of the Labour Party as the leading contender.(AP Photo/Jon Super) Supporters of Britain’s Labour party MP Andy Burnham show placards before his speech after the Makerfield by-election in Wigan, England, Friday, June 19, 2026.(AP Photo/Jon Super) Britain’s Labour party candidate Andy Burnham speaks to supporters after the Makerfield by-election in Ashton in Makerfield, England, Friday, June 19, 2026.(AP Photo/Jon Super) LONDON (AP) —Andy Burnhamis a political insider turned outsider who aims to be Britain’s next prime minister. The 56-year-old politician presents himself as an amiable northern everyman who prefers T-shirts to a suit and tie and spends spare time playing socce…

Labour mayor Andy Burnham has cleared a path to ousting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, potentially ushering in a new bout of political instability, by decisively winning a parliamentary seat in ‌northern England. Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor nicknamed "King of the North", won the contest in Makerfield in northwest England with 54.8 per cent of the vote, beating the candidate for Nigel Farage's populist Reform UK party, on 34.5 per cent. The scale ‌of Burnham's victory in what could be the most consequential by-election in more than six decades puts him in a strong position to challenge Starmer, struggling with some of the worst popularity ratings of any British leader. Burnham indicated he wanted to counter the rise of polarising, populist politics, saying his victory was a chance to turn "away from the path that takes us to a divided, dark politics of the kind we see in the United States". Attention now turns to the timing of his move, and whether he can convince the prime minister to relinquish power without a potentially disruptive leadership contest. In ‌his victory speech, Burnham said ⁠the result could be a "turning point". "We must hear it, we must act u…

Andy Burnham wins in huge blow to Keir Starmer and Reform Andy Burnham arriving at Makerfield count (Image: PA Wire) Andy Burnham has launched his bid to oust Sir Keir Starmer at a rally in Makerfield as he said his win now could "open up the space for the real change the people of this constituency deserve." In his most direct hint yet that he would seek to remove Sir Keir from office he lavished praise on Josh Simons, who stepped back from the seat, saying he had done so for "the right reasons". Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT "We've got to now take this moment to now answer the challenges that have been laid down ," he says. Mr Burnham says "we need an economy that works for everybody" instead of a few people far away, as he calls for a reduction in energy bills, water bills and train fares. Mr Burnham, a Cambridge graduate, railed against the education system saying it must not be "dominated by the University route" and must focus instead on getting people in work. It comes justv hours after Andy Burnham won a crunch by-election in a major blow to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer . The Greater Manchester Mayor is now set to challenge the Labour leader for the top job in G…

Rival confirms he will challenge Starmer to be UK prime minister Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has confirmed for the first time his intention to challenge Keir Starmer to be Britain’s prime minister, drawing immediate criticism from the premier who vowed not to walk away from the job. “If I get your support, I would seek to represent you at the highest possible level and give this constituency maximum power and influence,” Burnham said in an episode of the BBC’s Question Time. He cited the ambitions of his top rival, former health secretary Wes...

Andy Burnham must break with 'terrible orthodoxies' says Zack Polanski ... Andy Burnham must break with 'terrible orthodoxies' says Zack Polanski Andy Burnham Keir Starmer Zack Polanski National government People Politics Scotland By Beth Templeton Reporter Share 0 Comments Green Party leader Zack Polanski This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. GREEN Party leader Zack Polanski has spoken out amidst chaos in the UK Government, as Andy Burnham announces he will seek re-election in a bid to return to parliament and challenge Keir Starmer. In an interview with Sky News , Polanski said that Burnham needs to make clear if he will break away from “terrible orthodoxies” of the past or be “more of the same”. Responding to the announcement that the Greater Manchester mayor plans to stand in a by-election in a bid to return to Parliament and challenge the Prime Minister, he added: “Last week’s elections show the country is crying out for a break from the failed status quo. “ Keir Starmer has been…

Starmer insists he will stand in any leadership contest, following Burnham win By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments 4 Skip to next photo 1 / 1 Show caption 1 / 1 0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he will stand in a Labour leadership contest, should one be triggered after Andy Burnham returns to Westminster following his victory in the Makerfield by-election. The Prime Minister is under pressure to hand over power to Mr Burnham, who defied national trends to increase Labour’s share of the vote in a seat where Nigel Farage’s Reform UK made sweeping gains in last month’s local elections. But Sir Keir insisted he will not “walk away” from Downing Street, setting Labour up for a showdown over the premiership. Speaking to reporters at an event in north London, Sir Keir said: “If there is a contest, then yes, I will stand. “I have said repeatedly, I am not going to walk away from that.” The Prime Minister said he had not yet directly spoken with Mr Burnham since…

Voters go to polls in crunch by-election for Starmer’s leadership By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour Party candidate Andy Burnham is hoping to become PM (Gary Oakley/PA) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Voters will go to the polls in Makerfield on Thursday in what could be one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history. Andy Burnham is standing as Labour’s candidate in the Greater Manchester constituency with the hope of returning to Parliament to oust Sir Keir Starmer and replace him as Prime Minister. Sir Keir said on Wednesday he was willing to offer the Mayor of Greater Manchester a “big” job in his Government, should Mr Burnham win when Thursday’s votes are counted. But allies of Mr Burnham said he was not interested in the offer, insisting “the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government’s failings”. Mr Burnham and his allies are reported to be hoping for a “coronation” in which Sir Keir stands aside, rather t…

Andy Burnham is 'unclear' on Gaza but liked by local Muslims - Hyphen This article was originally published by Hyphen in May 2026. Following Andy Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield byelection on 18 June 2026 and the expectation that he will mount a Labour leadership challenge against Keir Starmer, we are spotlighting it again. Andy Burnham has been formally chosen asLabour’s candidate in the upcoming Makerfield byelection, giving the mayor of GreaterManchestera possible route back to parliament. If elected, it is understood that Burnham wouldmake a bidfor the party leadership to replace Keir Starmer. Recentpolling by YouGovfound he was the top choice for leader among Labour party members, with 59% saying they would back him over Starmer. Over the last decade, Burnham — now described as being on the “soft left” of the Labour Party despite previously having been seen as sitting more towards the party’s right flank — has built a high profile as Greater Manchester mayor,winningthree elections and earning the nickname “king of the north”. His decision to attempt a parliamentary comeback has been welcomed by MPs such as deputy leaderLucy Powelland Makerfield’s former MP, Josh Simons…

Burnham allies confident of No 10 ‘coronation’ after surge in backers <p>Some Labour MPs still want former mayor to face the ‘scrutiny’ of ideas through a contested leadership contest</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/jun/20/keir-starmer-andy-burnham-labour-leadership-makerfield-byelection-uk-politics-latest-news">UK politics live – latest updates</a></p></li></ul><p>Allies of Andy Burnham are increasingly confident of a coronation-style transfer of power after the number of MPs backing his planned leadership bid surged following his byelection victory.</p><p>Burnham and his team are understood to have spent the last few days enlisting the support of MPs and ministers, as he prepares to challenge Keir Starmer in the coming weeks.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/20/burnham-allies-confident-no-10-coronation-after-surge-backers-labour-leadership">Continue reading...</a>

Andy Burnham's Bold Political Views Shake Up Labour and Threaten ... Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham andyburnhamgm/Instagram Andy Burnham, who has served as Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, is fast becoming a focal point within Labour ranks for his outspoken views. The former MP for Leigh has openly criticised what he sees as Keir Starmer 's over-centralisation of power and is pushing a centre-left agenda that sits uneasily with the current leadership. His interventions have reignited debate about Labour's future direction and raised fresh questions over just how much influence Burnham could wield inside the party. Political Career and Achievements Burnham entered Parliament as Labour MP for Leigh in 2001 and went on to serve in several Cabinet positions under Prime Minister Gordon Brown, including Health Secretary and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Since 2017, he has been Mayor of Greater Manchester, focusing on regional development, public services and transport infrastructure. Notable initiatives include the Bee Network , an integrated public transport system, and efforts to strengthen local governance. His visibility and popularity in northern…

Keir Starmer aides ‘war gaming’ over leadership contest with Andy Burnham <p>Prime minister is ‘hellbent’ on fighting any contest - including sacking ministers who support Burnham</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/jun/10/belfast-riots-knife-attack-northern-ireland-sdlp-keir-starmer-kemi-badenoch-pmqs-uk-politics-latest-news-updates">UK politics live – latest updates</a></p></li></ul><p>Keir Starmer’s closest aides are “war-gaming” how to win a leadership contest ahead of Andy Burnham’s much-anticipated return to Westminster if he wins the Makerfield byelection, the Guardian understands.</p><p>Downing Street sources said the prime minister had taken the last fortnight to think seriously about his future but was now “hellbent” on fighting any contest. His team is working through various scenarios, including sacking ministers who publicly supported Burnham.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/10/keir-starmer-aides-war-gaming-over-leadership-contest-with-andy-burnham">Continue reading...</a>

Andy Burnham 'to cut a deal with Zack Polanski' as PM sweats over his ... GB NEWS ByBen Chapman, Published: 01/03/2026 The assertions emerge following Labour's crushing loss in Thursday's Gorton and Denton by-election Supporters of Andy Burnham claim the Manchester mayor would establish a partnership with the Green Party and abolish first-past-the-post voting in favour of proportional representation should he replace Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. The assertions emerge following Labour's crushing loss in Thursday's Gorton and Denton by-election, which has intensified pressure on the current leadership. Despite not holding a parliamentary seat, Mr Burnham has emerged as the preferred choice among both Labour members and the general public to lead the party. Many Labour MPs attribute the by-election defeat to Sir Keir's decision to prevent Mr Burnham from standing as the party's candidate. Polling data from Lord Ashcroft, shared with the Daily Mail, reveals that 44 per cent of voters believe the Prime Minister should step down following the by-election loss, compared to just 34 per cent who think he should remain. The research positions Mr Burnham as the leading candid…

Makerfield by-election live: Burnham secures landslide win over Reform Makerfield by-election as it happened: Burnham's landslide win opens door to Labour leadership contest The prime minister will consider his next step over the weekend as he spends time with family, it is understood. A mountain of pressure weighs upon Sir Keir Starmer as Cabinet ministers urge him to stand down, following Andy Burnham ’s landslide victory in the Makerfield by-election . The Independent has spoken to ministers who have confirmed they will be urging him to quit, and to hand the keys to No10 to the Greater Manchester mayor. Heidi Alexander is understood to have been the first to tell the prime minister to go. However, the prime minister has said he will “not walk away” from his premiership and will fight any leadership contest that comes about. Though, private sources said Starmer recognises the undeniable pressure from backbenchers for him to go. He is expected to take the weekend with his wife and children to decide what to do, The Times reported. Earlier, Sir Keir warned that a leadership challenge could plunge the country “into chaos” as he called on the party to “pull together” and “take the f…

Burnham should be heard ‘at top of politics’ if he wins Makerfield, says Nandy By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour candidate Andy Burnham surrounded by supporters at the Stubshaw Cross Community and Sports Club in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, as voting is underway in the Makerfield by-election, which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons. Picture This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham is likely to discuss the Labour leadership situation directly with Sir Keir Starmer if he wins the Makerfield by-election, a Cabinet minister said. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said Mr Burnham deserves to be heard “loud and clear at the top of politics” if he succeeds in fighting off the challenge from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in the seat. If Mr Burnham does hold Makerfield for Labour, he is expected to use his return to the Commons to launch an effort to oust the Prime Minister. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy praised Andy Burnham’s ability to win voters back from Reform (Jonathan Brady/PA) …

Labour's Andy Burnham wins special election, setting up showdown to ... Labour’s Andy Burnham has won a special election for a seat in Parliament, positioning him to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer LONDON --Labour’sAndy Burnham, the current mayor of Greater Manchester, has won a special election for a seat in Parliament that puts him in a position to challenge embattled Prime MinisterKeir Starmerfor leadership of the country. Burnham decisively won the seat of Makerfield in northwest England over Rob Kenyon of the anti-immigration partyReform UK. The victory announced early Friday cements the status of Burnham, a 56-year-old politician nicknamed the King of the North, as the top contender to replace Starmer as leader of the Labour Party and the country. Burnham won almost 55% of the 45,510 votes counted, over 9,000 more than Kenyon. Burnham’s victory speech left no doubt that he wants to lead the country, and not just be one of the more than 400 Labour lawmakers in the 650-seat House of Commons. “Everyone knows that politics isn’t working," he said. "Everyone can feel that the country isn’t where it should be. Tonight could, just could, be the turning point.” Starmer, …

Streeting prepared to trigger leadership contest as early as next week By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Wes Streeting said he would be prepared to trigger a leadership contest if Sir Keir does not set out a timetable for his departure This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Wes Streeting indicated he is prepared to trigger a Labour leadership contest as early as next week as he urged Sir Keir Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure if Andy Burnham wins this week’s Makerfield by-election. The former health secretary insisted he has the backing of the 80 MPs required to stand in a contest as he accused Sir Keir of not listening to the party or his Cabinet in a series of public appearances on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said he would prove his rivals wrong and “carry on with what I was elected to do” and “bring back the change that people desperately need” as he fights for his political future. Wes Streeting said he plans to stand in a Labour leadership contest if one is triggered…

Starmer vows to fight as Burnham's win fuels a Labour leadership ... Britain's Labour party candidate Andy Burnham speaks to supporters after the Makerfield by-election in Ashton in Makerfield, England, Friday, June 19, 2026. Jon Super/AP Photo/Jon Super Britain's Labour party's Andy Burnham leaves with his wife Marie-France Van Heel and their daughter Rosie after winning the Makerfield by-election, paving the way for a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. in Wigan, England, Friday, June 19, 2026. Jon Super/AP Photo/Jon Super Labour party's Andy Burnham stands beside candidate Count Binface, left, and a candidate for Protect British Wildlife after winning the Makerfield by-election, paving the way for a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. in Wigan, England, Friday, June 19, 2026. Jon Super/AP Photo/Jon Super Andy Burnham, Britain's Labour candidate for Makerfield, gestures in front of supporters during the by-election in Makerfield, England, Thursday, June 18, 2026 where voters are choosing a new lawmaker with Andy Burnham of the Labour Party as the leading contender. Jon Super/AP Photo/Jon Super Britain's Reform Party leader Nige…

Burnham wins key UK poll, paving way for bid to challenge PM Starmer Veteran UK Labour politician Andy Burnham emphatically won a crunch by-election on Friday, securing a parliamentary seat and clearing the way for a widely expected leadership challenge against beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Burnham, a former government minister who has been Greater Manchester mayor since 2017, ensured his return to parliament by easily beating the hard-right Reform UK party’s candidate in the Makerfield constituency in northwest England. The 56-year-old longtime figure in centre-left Labour wants to replace Starmer as party leader and prime minister, and needed to win the high-stakes vote to be in a position to trigger such a contest. If Starmer does leave office this year, then Britain will get its seventh prime minister in 10 years. “I do say to my own party, this is a final chance to change,” Burnham said in his acceptance speech after securing nearly 55 percent of the vote, beating Reform’s Robert Kenyon by more than 9,000 ballots. Turnout was a historically high 59 percent. “We must get it right,” he added, saying his victory could be a “turning point” for the country. Starmer cong…

Andy Burnhams Speech Raises Major Unanswered Questions | HuffPost UK Politics Burnham leaves after his speech without taking questions from waiting journalists. TOBY SHEPHEARD via AFP via Getty Images Andy Burnham today showed exactly why Labour MPs are desperate for him to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister as he laid out his vision for the country . The former mayor of Greater Manchester was pretty much everything the current PM is not. From the smart-casual clothes he wore to the easy charm with which he delivered his speech, this was clearly a man who – unlike Starmer – is very comfortable in his own skin. Advertisement His remedy for the UK’s ills also stand in marked contrast to the man who he will replace in 10 Downing Street in less than a month’s time. Burnham was clear that he wants nothing less than the complete “rewiring” of the way Britain is run, with a huge shift of power away from Westminster to local communities and regions across England. That, he said, would lead to the biggest council house building programme since the post-war period, economic growth “in every postcode”, lower energy bills and prices coming down in the shops. Advertisement He also signalle…

How Andy Burnham stood up to Starmer over Israel and could now reshape ... UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a fight for his premiership after former Manchester mayor Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election on Thursday, returning him to parliament and allowing him to stand for leader of the Labour Party. Starmer has been on the ropes for a while. Many thought he would go after the Peter Mandelson scandal earlier this year, when sordid details emerged about the now-former ambassador to the US , an ally of the prime minister and his friendship with financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Labour also suffered stunning losses in May's local elections, not least in traditional strongholds in northern England and London. But Starmer clung on. No one wanted to replace him before the local elections, sources in the Labour Party told Middle East Eye. Now, less than two years after his landslide general election victory, the prime minister faces two main challengers: Burnham and former Health Secretary Wes Streeting. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newslet…

Streeting prepared to trigger leadership contest as early as next week By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Wes Streeting said he would be prepared to trigger a leadership contest if Sir Keir does not set out a timetable for his departure This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Wes Streeting indicated he is prepared to trigger a Labour leadership contest as early as next week as he urged Sir Keir Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure if Andy Burnham wins this week’s Makerfield by-election. The former health secretary insisted he has the backing of the 80 MPs required to stand in a contest as he accused Sir Keir of not listening to the party or his Cabinet in a series of public appearances on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said he would prove his rivals wrong and “carry on with what I was elected to do” and “bring back the change that people desperately need” as he fights for his political future. Wes Streeting said he plans to stand in a Labour leadership contest if one is triggered…

Britain's Keir Starmer could face imminent challenge as key rival ... Andy Burnham in Ashton-in-Makerfield, England, on June 9. Anthony Devlin / Getty Images Share Add NBC News to Google June 18, 2026, 10:20 PM EDT / Updated June 18, 2026, 10:48 PM EDT By Alexander Smith LONDON — Andy Burnham took his first step to potentially becoming the next British prime minister Friday, winning a special election in the small northwest England area of Makerfield . Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has openly discussed mounting an effort to replace Prime Minister Keir Starmer as leader of the ruling center-left Labour Party. Starmer is historically unpopular in Britain after a series of scandals and policy missteps, with critics accusing him of lacking a political vision for remedying the country’s stagnant post-Brexit economy. Winning Thursday’s election secures Burnham’s return to Parliament and clears the path for him to bring a challenge against Starmer. Mutinous Labour MPs have been openly calling for a change of leader for months, fearful that Starmer would lead the party to a def…

Wes Streeting Prepared To Launch Leadership Challenge Against Starmer ... Wes Streeting and Keir Starmer. via Associated Press Wes Streeting is prepared to launch a Labour leadership challenge next week to end the “uncertainty and paralysis” over Keir Starmer’s future. The former health secretary said the prime minister should be given the weekend to decide whether or not he wants to stand down in the wake of Thursday’s Makerfield by-election. Advertisement Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham appears to be on course to beat Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon to become the new MP for the seat. Burnham has already said he will join any Labour leadership contest. Starmer himself reiterated on Monday that he would also stand in an attempt to cling onto his job. Speaking to the BBC’s Newsnight programme, Streeting said he was ready to bring the situation to a head. “We can’t carry on with this uncertainty and paralysis, and there will need to be a contest, and I’d be prepared to do that,” he said. Advertisement Asked when that might be, he said he did not want to “get into, ‘is it Monday, is it Tuesday’”, but that Starmer should be given “space over the weekend” to consider his position. At a…

Burnham should be heard ‘at top of politics’ if he wins Makerfield, says Nandy By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour candidate Andy Burnham surrounded by supporters at the Stubshaw Cross Community and Sports Club in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, as voting is underway in the Makerfield by-election, which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons. Picture This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham is likely to discuss the Labour leadership situation directly with Sir Keir Starmer if he wins the Makerfield by-election, a Cabinet minister said. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said Mr Burnham deserves to be heard “loud and clear at the top of politics” if he succeeds in fighting off the challenge from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in the seat. If Mr Burnham does hold Makerfield for Labour, he is expected to use his return to the Commons to launch an effort to oust the Prime Minister. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy praised Andy Burnham’s ability to win voters back from Reform (Jonathan Brady/PA) …

Reform on election war footing as Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham rally support amid Labour civil war Labour announces social media crackdown after Belfast disorder Andy Burnham confirms he plans to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership GB NEWS ByJack Walters, Published: 07/06/2026 The Prime Minister is expected to fight Andy Burnham if a Labour leadership contest is triggered Nigel Farage's Reform UK is gearing up for an early general election after Andy Burnham confirmed his plot to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership, a senior insider has told GB News. Mr Burnham, who is standing as Labour's candidate in Makerfield on June 18, has been accused of using the by-election as a "stepping stone" to get the keys to No10. The Greater Manchester Mayor publicly revealed he intends to enter his third Labour leadership race if voters return him to Westminster for the first time since he resigned as the MP of nearby Leigh in 2017. However, Reform UK now believes it must prepare for an early general election after Mr Farage claimed a snap poll would be needed if Sir Keir is defeated in a leadership challenge. "The fact is Burnham is just Starmer in jea…

Voters go to polls in crunch by-election for Starmer’s leadership By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour Party candidate Andy Burnham is hoping to become PM (Gary Oakley/PA) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Voters will go to the polls in Makerfield on Thursday in what could be one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history. Andy Burnham is standing as Labour’s candidate in the Greater Manchester constituency with the hope of returning to Parliament to oust Sir Keir Starmer and replace him as Prime Minister. Sir Keir said on Wednesday he was willing to offer the Mayor of Greater Manchester a “big” job in his Government, should Mr Burnham win when Thursday’s votes are counted. But allies of Mr Burnham said he was not interested in the offer, insisting “the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government’s failings”. Mr Burnham and his allies are reported to be hoping for a “coronation” in which Sir Keir stands aside, rather t…

Keir Starmer will be ‘part of’ any Labour leadership race, deputy says British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will stand if a leadership contest is triggered, a senior minister said on Sunday, after media reported Starmer had contacted key backers insisting he would run in any race. This came after popular Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham, who is standing in a key by-election this month, said last week he would participate in any leadership race, although none has yet been triggered. Starmer “has been absolutely clear – were there to be a contest – you need 81...

Polls open in historic byelection in Makerfield that could determine Keir Starmer’s future – UK politics live <p>Andy Burnham hopes a successful byelection will mean he can encourage Keir Starmer to step aside as prime minister</p><p><strong>Up to 3,000 Labour campaigners are expected to descend on Makerfield for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/andyburnham">Andy Burnham</a>, prompting fears among organisers that the hordes of activists may end up overwhelming voters during Thursday’s byelection.</strong></p><p>Local hotels are fully booked and party members are expected to be dispatched to polling stations, and to leaflet people waiting at bus stops and school gates to avoid swamping residents on their doorsteps.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/jun/18/makerfield-byelection-polls-open-labour-leadership-andy-burnham-keir-starmer-latest-news-updates">Continue reading...</a>

Starmer rival seeks win in UK by-election pivotal to prime minister's fate The UK's Prime Minister Keir Starmer has insisted he will fight to stay in his role if a leadership challenge is launched by Andy Burnham. But before any such contest unfolds, Burnham must win a seat in parliament, which he is hoping to do on June 18 in a by-election in the Makerfield constituency. The race is expected to be tight, with Reform UK candidate Rob Kenyon posing a credible opposition to the former Greater Manchester Mayor.

Andy Burnham says Makerfield win can be ‘turning point’ for British politics By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments 6 Skip to next photo 1 / 1 Show caption 1 / 1 0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham said Labour had a “final chance to change” after his decisive win in the Makerfield by-election set up a showdown with Sir Keir Starmer. Allies of Mr Burnham called on the Prime Minister to hand over power after he defied national trends to increase Labour’s share of the vote in a seat where Nigel Farage’s Reform UK made sweeping gains in last month’s local elections. The Prime Minister, who has insisted he will not quit and will fight any leadership challenge, praised his rival’s victory, writing on social media: “Congratulations, @AndyBurnhamGM, Labour’s new MP for Makerfield. Voters chose Labour’s campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate.” Mr Burnham defeated Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by 9,231 votes, up from 5,399 in 2024, and Labour’s vote share increased by 9.61%. …

Andy Burnham latest: Labour MP's last potential leadership threat Al ... Moment Al Cars announces he will not run against Andy Burnham The last remaining potential rival to Andy Burnham as the next Labour leader and prime minister has revealed he will not stand against the Makerfield MP. Former defence minister Al Carns has told Sky News he will back Burnham instead, clearing the way for a “coronation”, not a contest. If no other challengers come forward, Burnham will become Labour leader on 17 July and is expected to become prime minister on 20 July. Earlier, Nigel Farage has formally resigned as an MP after Rachel Reeves approved his request to allow the formal mechanism for him to step down, but said he was creating a “farce”. “If he wants to spend the summer arguing with a bin, I won’t stop him,” the chancellor said. Satirical candidate Count Binface appears to be Mr Farage’s main electoral rival in the Clacton by-election as Labour , the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and Restore Britain are refusing to stand candidates. Subscribe here to get the latest updates from The Independent Recommended Polling guru warns Farage ‘can’t pull out’ after major parti…

Burnham wins key UK poll, paving way for bid to challenge Starmer Andy Burnham greets supporters at the Labour campaign HQ on June 18, 2026 in Ashton-in-Makerfield, England (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) Veteran UK Labour politician Andy Burnham emphatically won a crunch by-election on Friday, securing a parliamentary seat and clearing the way for a widely expected leadership challenge against beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Burnham, a former government minister who has been Greater Manchester mayor since 2017, ensured his return to parliament by easily beating the hard-right Reform UK party’s candidate in the Makerfield constituency in northwest England. The 56-year-old longtime figure in centre-left Labour has indicated he will challenge Starmer for the party’s leadership, and to be prime minister, and needed to win the high-stakes vote to be in a position to trigger such a contest. If Starmer does leave office this year, then Britain will get its seventh prime minister in 10 years. “I do say to my own party, this is a final chance to change,” Burnham said in his acceptance speech after securing nearly 55% of the vote, beating Reform’s Robert Kenyon by more…

Voters go to polls in crunch by-election for Starmer’s leadership By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour Party candidate Andy Burnham is hoping to become PM (Gary Oakley/PA) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Voters will go to the polls in Makerfield on Thursday in what could be one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history. Andy Burnham is standing as Labour’s candidate in the Greater Manchester constituency with the hope of returning to Parliament to oust Sir Keir Starmer and replace him as Prime Minister. Sir Keir said on Wednesday he was willing to offer the Mayor of Greater Manchester a “big” job in his Government, should Mr Burnham win when Thursday’s votes are counted. But allies of Mr Burnham said he was not interested in the offer, insisting “the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government’s failings”. Mr Burnham and his allies are reported to be hoping for a “coronation” in which Sir Keir stands aside, rather t…

Keir Starmer vows to fight on as Andy Burnham closes in on Labour crown https://www.europesays.com/people/118145/ As British Prime Minister Keir Starmer flies back from the G7 leaders’ summit in Evian on Wednesday, he…

Andy Burnham confirms he will challenge Starmer for leadership if he wins Makerfield by-election | LBC Andy Burnham confirms he will challenge Starmer for leadership if he wins Makerfield by-election 4 Jun 2026, 21:08 | Updated: 5d ago Share Facebook WhatsApp Email Link Copied Link CheckCircle Andy Burnham Holds Breakfast Meeting With Ex-Miners On Pensions Campaign. Picture: Getty By Chay Quinn Andy Burnham has confirmed he will challenge Sir Keir Starmer to be Labour leader if he wins the Makerfield by-election. Listen to this article Loading audio... The Mayor of Greater Manchester is seeking a return to Westminster in the June 18 poll. As part of his opening speech on a televised debate for the by-election, Mr Burnham told his wannabe constituents that he will seek to represent them “at the highest possible level”. He told the audience: “I’m not somebody who gets ahead of myself. Read More: The toxic question Burnham's leadership bid cannot avoid Read More: How fast is Andy Burnham? Labour mayor shares 10km and marathon times “I can’t do anything unless I’m lucky enough to get the support of people here. “But if I get your support, I would seek to represent you at the highest p…

Keir Starmer latest: Andy Burnham allowed to run in ... - Metro Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has signalled he would like to try out for the UK’s top job – but practical obstacles remain as he is not currently an MP (Picture: Getty Images Europe) Andy Burnham has been granted permission to run in the Makerfield by-election by the Labour Party governing body. Greater Manchester’s popular Labour mayor announced yesterday that he intends to stand in a by-election to bag a seat in Parliament, followed by recently resigned health secretary Wes Streeting throwing his weight behind him. Now Burnham has cleared a major hurdle that had previously blocked him in Manchester – the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC). The top ruling body said it has today ‘given permission to Andy Burnham to standin the candidate selection process in the forthcoming by-election for the Makerfield constituency.’ Streeting said on X today: ‘We need our best players on the pitch. There is no doubt that Andy Burnham is one of them.’ Makerfield’s sitting MP, Josh Simons, yesterday announced he would stand down to make way for Burnham – now a top choice for PM – as pressure mounts on unpopular …

Andy Burnham, Britain's Shape-Shifting Next Leader - The Atlantic Britain has a new prime minister in waiting. Andy Burnham has wanted to lead the Labour Party for more than a decade, and now the deep unpopularity of the incumbent, Keir Starmer, has created a path to Downing Street for the Manchester mayor. Yesterday in Makerfield, a constituency outside Manchester in northern England, Burnham won a special parliamentary election that basically everyone understood to be both a referendum on Starmer’s leadership and a test of his own ability to defeat the radical right. He won the by-election in a blowout, and is expected to challenge Starmer almost immediately—by pressuring him behind the scenes to resign or, failing that, by triggering a leadership contest. Either way, Burnham is highly likely to come out on top. The question for Britain is whether his easygoing charm and gift for communication will be enough to successfully lead a grumpy, stagnant country that has already had six prime ministers since the Brexit referendum in 2016. Read: How Britain became as poor as Mississippi Burnham’s path to power is, funnily enough, more typical of American politicians than British ones. I…

Andy Burnham, Makerfield by-election set to decide British PM … Labour candidate Andy Burnham in Ashton-in-Makerfield on June 9. Temilade Adelaja / Reuters Share Add NBC News to Google June 18, 2026, 4:31 AM EDT By Alexander Smith LONDON — A cluster of post-industrial towns in northwest England might be about to choose the country’s next prime minister. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. The people of Makerfield will on Thursday decide whether to vote Andy Burnham — mayor of Greater Manchester, often hailed “King of the North” — back into Parliament. If elected, he says he would challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer as head of the ruling Labour Party — no public vote needed, thanks to the quirks of British politics. Two years after a landslide victory, Starmer is the least popular British leader on record due to a perceived lack of personality, and a series of policy U-turns and scandals — including appointing a friend of Jeffrey Epstein as ambassador to Washington. Add NBC News to Google Political drama unfolding in the U.K. that may lead to Prime Minister Starmer's being ousted 02:17 By contrast, Burnham’s commo…

Voters go to polls in crunch by-election for Starmer’s leadership By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments Labour Party candidate Andy Burnham is hoping to become PM (Gary Oakley/PA) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Voters will go to the polls in Makerfield on Thursday in what could be one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history. Andy Burnham is standing as Labour’s candidate in the Greater Manchester constituency with the hope of returning to Parliament to oust Sir Keir Starmer and replace him as Prime Minister. Sir Keir said on Wednesday he was willing to offer the Mayor of Greater Manchester a “big” job in his Government, should Mr Burnham win when Thursday’s votes are counted. But allies of Mr Burnham said he was not interested in the offer, insisting “the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government’s failings”. Mr Burnham and his allies are reported to be hoping for a “coronation” in which Sir Keir stands aside, rather t…