Andy Burnham’s win strengthens his position for a potential bid to unseat UK PM Keir Starmer
Labour mayor Andy Burnham paved the way on Friday for removing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, possibly bringing a new wave of political turmoil, by winning a parliamentary seat in northern England with a strong performance.
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Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester known as “King of the North”, secured victory in Makerfield in northwest England, garnering 54.8% of the vote and surpassing the candidate from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, who received 34.5%.
Burnham’s significant win in what may be the most impactful by-election in over sixty years places him in a robust position to contest Starmer, who is grappling with some of the lowest approval ratings of any British leader.
Andy Burnham expressed his desire to combat the increase of divisive, populist politics, stating that his win provided an opportunity to shift “away from the trajectory leading us toward a fragmented, unsettling politics like that observed in the United States.”
Focus now shifts to when he will act, and if he can persuade the prime minister to step down without causing a potentially disruptive leadership race.
Andy Burnham is being viewed as a possible contender to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer
In his speech following the win, Andy Burnham remarked that the outcome might signal a “turning point.”
“We need to listen to it, we need to respond to it, and we need to ensure accuracy,” he stated. “There won’t be another opportunity.”
Starmer, who stated he would continue to fight, promptly congratulated Andy Burnham, saying on X: “Voters preferred Labour’s message of hope and optimism to division and hatred.”
Andy Burnham, a 56-year-old politician with a long career, who has supported the nationalisation of essential public services and condemned what he described as four decades of unsuccessful neo-liberal economics, stated he would participate in any contest to succeed Starmer.
Surveys suggest he would prevail in a leadership contest determined by party members, though certain Labour legislators wish to sidestep that procedure.
This would imply that Britain is appointing its seventh prime minister in just over ten years, marking the highest turnover in almost two hundred years—an indicator of voter frustration with ongoing failures to enhance living standards, public services, and address illegal immigration.
Tensions within Labour increase as pressure mounts on Starmer.
Two years following a landslide national election win, Starmer, 63, ranks among the least favored British prime ministers since polling data started. Scandals, policy reversals, and claims of indecision have hindered the implementation of the change he previously vowed to bring.
Approximately a fourth of his legislators have called for his resignation following Labour’s significant defeats in the local elections last month. Senior officials, such as the defence and health ministers, have stepped down due to his leadership.
Starmer emphasized this week that he would participate in any leadership race and cautioned his party about the risks of a possibly divisive leadership battle.
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However, multiple Labour MPs indicated that the magnitude of Burnham’s victory would compel Starmer to contemplate stepping down.
Culture minister Lisa Nandy, a key ally of Burnham, informed reporters that she anticipated both men would speak shortly. She dismissed the idea of leaving the cabinet but indicated she couldn’t comment on others.
