Labour's Andy Burnham poised to challenge Starmer after Makerfield win
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5 days · 5 summary articles
Labour’s Keir Starmer faces a defining moment on Thursday as voters in the Makerfield constituency of northwest England cast ballots in a closely watched by-election that could determine the future of his premiership. The contest pits Andy Burnham, the incumbent mayor of Greater Manchester and Labour’s odds-on favourite to succeed Starmer, against Reform UK’s anti-immigration candidate in a vote that political analysts describe as a referendum on the prime minister’s leadership.
Polls opened at 7am local time across the 75,000-strong electorate, a former Labour stronghold where Brexit sentiment has bolstered Reform UK’s challenge to the governing party. Burnham, a veteran Labour figure and former MP, is campaigning on a platform of economic renewal for post-industrial communities, positioning himself as the natural successor to Starmer should the prime minister fail to recover from plummeting approval ratings. “For forty years, the economy has not done enough for people living in places like Makerfield,” Burnham told supporters on Wednesday, framing the election as a chance to reset Britain’s priorities .
The stakes could not be higher. If Burnham wins the seat for Labour, political observers say he would almost certainly mount a leadership challenge to Starmer, whose authority has been eroded by a series of electoral setbacks and internal party dissent. “If Burnham defeats Reform UK and wins the seat for Labour, he is almost certain to seek the premiership,” noted analysts at the *South China Morning Post* . The contest has drawn international attention, with French daily *Le Monde* describing Makerfield as a “microcosm” of Britain’s political divides, where traditional Labour voters and Reform UK’s Brexit base are locked in a battle that could reshape the country’s leadership .
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has framed the election as a referendum on Starmer’s immigration policies, while Labour has sought to mobilise its base by warning of the risks of a far-right surge. The outcome will be watched closely by Westminster insiders, with *Politico Europe* declaring that “the future leadership of the British government will be shaped in the next 24 hours by just a few thousand voters living in a cluster of former mining communities” .
Results are expected late on Thursday, with early exit polls likely to set the tone for the coming weeks. Should Burnham prevail, Starmer’s position could become untenable, triggering a leadership contest that would test Labour’s unity and the party’s ability to retain power ahead of the next general election.
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Articles
The data is clear: Andy Burnhams path to No. 10 Downing Street runs through the most difficult political terrain he could have chosen.
bluesky bot · about 2 hours ago
Polls have just opened in a by-election that will genuinely decide the future of British politics. Makerfield is about to make history. More in London Playbook 👇
bluesky bot · about 2 hours ago
United Kingdom, national parliament by-elections today: ➤ Polls open: 7am - 10pm local time (8am-11pm CEST) ➤ 3/650 seats up for election ➤ Electoral system: FPTP ➤ Incumbent parties: SNP-G/EFA x2, LAB-S&D x1 ➤ #UK
telegram bot · about 2 hours ago
Eleições parlamentares parciais desafiam Starmer Situado no noroeste de Inglaterra, Makerfield, com cerca de 76 mil eleitores, tem sido tradicionalmente um reduto trabalhista, mas nos últimos anos registou-se uma crescente implantação do Partido Reformista, num território onde o voto a favor do Brexit
observador · about 2 hours ago
Por dia, IMT dá equivalência a 231 cartas estrangeiras DN: troca de cartas de condução estrangeiras cresce 26. Público: Tribunal obriga PJ a repetir concurso. No Reino Unido, eleição parcial pode ditar o futuro político do primeiro-ministro britânico.
observador · about 2 hours ago
Andy Burnham à lassaut de Downing Street: Pendant quarante ans, léconomie na pas fait assez pour les gens vivant dans des endroits comme ici Favori pour devenir député de Makerfield face à un candidat dextrême droite, le maire de Manchester contestera ensuite la place de chef du parti travailliste à Keir Starmer, afin de devenir Premier ministre. ...
la libre · about 2 hours ago
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la vanguardia · about 2 hours ago
Ligt de toekomst van het VK in handen van het kleine Makerfield? Het hele Verenigd Koninkrijk kijkt vandaag naar Makerfield, een klein kiesdistrict tussen Manchester en Liverpool. De 75.000 inwoners van het gebied zouden zomaar eens de nieuwe minister-president van het land kunnen kiezen.
rtl nieuws · about 2 hours ago
Au Royaume-Uni, le sort de Keir Starmer entre les mains des électeurs de Makerfield Si Andy Burnham, maire du Grand Manchester, remporte lélection législative partielle le 18 juin, il pourrait chercher à remplacer le premier ministre au 10 Downing Street, au risque de déclencher une bataille interne au Parti travailliste. Plusieurs scénarios sont envisagés.
le monde · about 2 hours ago
„Am venit să ne luăm votul înapoi. Primar de comună, demis prin referendum de localnici, după doi ani de mandat. Ce spune edilul Referendum pentru demiterea primarului, după doar doi ani de mandat. S-a întâmplat într-o comună din Mureș, unde peste jumătate din oamenii care s-au prezentat la urne au votat pentru schimbarea actualui primar. Referendumul local a fost inițiat de fostul edil. „Pentru toți primarii din țară e un avertisment, spune acesta.
digi24 · about 2 hours ago
GB: Nachwahl mit Fokus auf Starmer-Herausforderer Burnham
orf.at · about 2 hours ago
Starmers future on the line as Britain holds closely watched vote Keir Starmer is not on the ballot, but the UK prime ministers future is on the line in a special election on Thursday. Voters in the Makerfield district of northwest England were electing a new lawmaker, and the leading contender is Andy Burnham of the governing Labour Party, the current mayor of Greater Manchester and oddsmakers favourite to be the next prime minister. If Burnham defeats a candidate from the anti-immigration party Reform UK and wins the seat for Labour, he is almost certain...
south china morning post · about 2 hours ago
Octopus founder says climate policies must address energy costs Remarks come ahead of pivotal English by-election
financial times · about 2 hours ago
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news.err · about 2 hours ago
Starmer rival Andy Burnham seeks win in local UK poll pivotal to PMs fate Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is hoping to emerge triumphant from a key local election Thursday that could propel the popular Labour party veteran to the UK premiership. Several figures within the centre-left party are positioning themselves to challenge the deeply unpopular Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
france24 · about 2 hours ago
Why the By-Election in Makerfield Will Have Giant Consequences for the UK Here is what to know about the by-election on Thursday in Makerfield, the outcome of which could lead to Prime Minister Keir Starmers ouster.
new york times · about 2 hours ago
Starmer rival seeks win in UK poll pivotal to PMs fate Britain was holding a key local election on Thursday that could trigger the endgame for Labour leader Keir Starmers beleaguered premiership, or win him a reprieve. 👉 Read more:
telegram bot · about 2 hours ago