Andy Burnham Wins Makerfield By-Election, Clearing Path to Challenge Starmer as UK Prime Minister
Burnham won nearly 55% of the vote, strengthening calls for Keir Starmer to step aside as Labour MPs weigh a leadership challenge.
- On Thursday, Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election, securing 54% of the vote and decisively defeating the Reform UK candidate with a majority of 9,231.
- Known as the "King of the North," Burnham has served as Greater Manchester Mayor since 2017, earning the nickname through his regional championing and political ambition during his tenure.
- To challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Burnham requires backing from 81 Labour MPs and support from local parties or unions to trigger a formal leadership contest.
- When MPs return to the Commons on Monday, speculation will intensify over whether a formal leadership contest or a "coronation" will follow Burnham's parliamentary arrival.
- Burnham previously lost leadership contests to Ed Miliband in 2010 and Jeremy Corbyn in 2015, making this his third attempt at the party's top position.
353 Articles
353 Articles
Why Starmer has been such a failure
There were lots of contested takeaways from the Makerfield by-election this week. But the one thing that seems incontrovertible is that almost everyone wanted to get rid of Keir Starmer. Some of those people voted for Reform, more did so for Burnham – in large part because that was the quickest way to change PM. Starmer appears to have a deeply-held superiority complex – of morals as well as talents – that explains his habit of telling everyone …
Andy Burnham appears as the natural candidate for Keir Starmer's succession. The Labour MP has already tried twice to take the leadership of the party. - United Kingdom: who is Andy Burnham, elected Labour MP and possible successor to Keir Starmer? (International).
Angry Brits Could Make Burnham PM—Then Turn on Him
UK Special Coverage Angry Brits Could Make Burnham PM—Then Turn on Him The voters are in a state of electoral ataxia that makes political forecasting impossible. UK Special Coverage Britain has had six prime ministers in the last decade and is about to install a seventh. This seems inevitable following the stunning victory of Andy...
Andy Burnham: The charismatic mayor almost certain to challenge for Britain’s premiership
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is poised to challenge Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the country’s premiership on his return to parliament after winning a by-election in Makerfield, northwest England.
Race for UK leadership looms after Prime Minister Starmer’s main rival Burnham wins seat in parliament
LONDON - Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is poised to challenge British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the country’s premiership after resoundingly winning a special election in Makerfield, northwest England, and securing his return to parliament.
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