Thursday, May 21Thursday, May 21Andy Burnham, the current Mayor of Greater Manchester, has been confirmed as the Labour Party’s candidate for the Makerfield by-election, expected to take place on 18 June 2026. The Labour Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) approved his candidacy without shortlisting any other contenders, following the seat’s vacancy after Josh Simons’ departure. This by-election is seen as a critical step for Burnham, who is positioning himself as a potential successor to Labour leader and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer .
Burnham is also preparing a 100-day plan for government, should he ascend to national leadership. His team is reportedly focusing on reforms to England’s social care system, among other priorities, as part of this strategy .
In the Makerfield by-election, Burnham will face a challenge from Reform UK, which has selected a candidate—a plumber who came second in the 2024 general election in the same constituency—to contest the seat. This race is seen as a test of Burnham’s political momentum ahead of a potential Labour leadership bid .
Burnham’s stance on Brexit has drawn attention, as he adopts a cautious approach compared to other Labour figures like Wes Streeting, who has openly advocated for rejoining the EU. While Burnham has acknowledged that Brexit was "damaging," he has downplayed the issue in the by-election campaign, framing it as a divisive topic he does not intend to prioritize. His position reflects a broader shift in Labour’s approach, where EU membership is no longer taboo but is not being actively pushed as a policy goal .
Polling among Labour Party members suggests strong support for Burnham as a potential leader. A YouGov survey found that members would prefer Burnham over Starmer if a leadership contest were held, indicating his growing influence within the party. This sentiment has fueled speculation that Burnham could emerge as a key challenger to Starmer, particularly if he secures a seat in Parliament through the Makerfield by-election .
Burnham’s political profile has been bolstered by his reputation as a pragmatic and effective leader in Greater Manchester, earning him the nickname "King of the North" in some media coverage. His potential ascent to national leadership is seen as a significant development in UK politics, particularly amid Starmer’s declining popularity .
Labour leadership hopeful Andy Burnham working on 100-day plan for government The Greater Manchester mayors team is drawing up a plan for his first 100 days in Downing Street that will likely include reforms to Englands creaking social care system.
politico.eu · 1 day ago
Former PM, Reform Party head: Alar Karis a dignified candidate for second term Incumbent Alar Karis has earned the publics trust and is a worthy candidate, although some of his interviews have sparked less-than-favorable controversy, former Prime Minister Andrus Ansip finds.
news.err · 1 day ago
Reform UK unveils candidate to challenge Andy Burnham in by-election Plumber who came second in Makerfield in 2024 election will take on Manchester mayor seeking to become Labour leader
financial times · 1 day ago
Andy Burnham confirmed as Labour candidate for Makerfield byelection Party confirms that no other candidates have been shortlisted for election expected to take place on 18 JuneUK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham has been confirmed as the candidate for the Makerfield byelection as Labours national executive committee rubber-stamped the mayor of Greater Manchester.Labour confirmed no other candidates had been shortlisted in the seat vacated by Josh Simons – with the byelection now widely expected to take place on 18 June , once the date is confirmed by Commons authorities. Continue reading...
theguardian · 1 day ago
Britain and Europe: The Long Road Back – by Edward McMillan-Scott Wes Streetings call for Britain to rejoin the European Union, and Andy Burnhams more cautious but still sympathetic noises, signal something important: the question of EU membership is no longer taboo in mainstream politics. A decade after the Brexit vote, the argument has shifted from whether the UK might return to how—and at what cost. The case for […]
brussels morning · 1 day ago
When I look at what Zohran Mamdani is doing as mayor, Im jealous of New Yorkers | Arwa Mahdawi Sure, hes not perfect, but on libraries, childcare and potholes, hes getting the job done. Why cant more politicians give a damn?Some people buy a motorbike when they have a midlife crisis. Others take up a hobby like pottery. I, meanwhile, have channelled all my perimenopausal rage and existential angst into regularly calling government officials in Philadelphia and complaining about the citys trash problem. Sometimes I also offer helpful suggestions as to how they can improve things, but these never seem well received. However, the last time I called the mayors office the woman who picked up did say: Youve called here before, havent you? Which led me to believe that 1) not many people with English accents are calling the Philadelphia mayors office to offer unsolicited advice on urban sanitation; and 2) I should probably seek help with my trash obsession.Since I seem to be airing all my unresolved psychological issues, I should probably add that I have recently diagnosed myself with a condition called Mamdani Mayoral Envy (MME). Depending on your location, you may suffer from it too. Symptoms include reading about New York and wondering why your city cant be led by someone who actually seems to give a damn the way Zohran Mamdani does. Continue reading...
theguardian · 1 day ago
Debate: UK: end of the road for Starmer and Brexit? The race to replace embattled British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has begun: Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who resigned last week in protest against the prime minister, has announced his candidacy for the Labour leadership – and is making the case for rejoining the EU. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who is currently running for a seat in the House of Commons in a by-election, is also a favourite for the job.
eurotopics.net · 1 day ago
Le Brexit de nouveau au coeur du débat au Royaume-Uni et en Europe dix ans après Il y a dix ans, le Royaume-Uni vivait lune des campagnes électorales les plus importantes de son histoire. Celle du référendum sur le Brexit. Elle sachevait le 23 juin 2016 par la victoire du camp réclamant la sortie de lUnion européenne. Et, dix ans plus tard, voici que le Brexit est à nouveau au cœur dune campagne politique.
rfi.fr · 1 day ago
King of the North: Who is Andy Burnham, a potential UK prime minister? With Keir Starmer under fire, it is Manchesters mayor who looks to be the key challenger.
aljazeera · 1 day ago
The Labour Partys attitude to Brexit is like the countrys view of church Andy Burnham and Keir Starmer are less passionate about rejoining
financial times · 1 day ago
Brexit was damaging but I wont try to reverse it – Andy Burnham plays down divisive issue ahead of by-election
gdeltproject.org · 2 days ago
Labour likely to win next election with Burnham as leader, say party members – UK politics live YouGov polling reveals support for prospective challenger despite members believing Starmer has done a good job as PMGood morning. A week ago, at cabinet, Keir Starmer delivered a put up or shut up message to his critics. Wes Streeting, his leading opponent, decided to do neither – declining to launch a leadership bid, but going public with his lack of confidence in the PM and resigning. And then Andy Burnham found a potential seat, meaning that, if Burnham can win the byelection, a leadership challenged has not been averted, just postponed.We dont have any byelection polling from Makerfield yet. But last night YouGov released some detailed polling on what Labour members think about the leadership which is worth flagging up because the views of members will influence the way events pan out in the weeks ahead.Labour members would rather have Burnham than Starmer as leader. Here are the figures when members were asked to rank eight possible candidates. Continue reading...
theguardian · 2 days ago