Voters in Makerfield head to the polls on Thursday in a by-election widely seen as a major test for the future of the Labour Party and Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is contesting the seat as Labour’s candidate, with speculation growing that a victory could strengthen calls for him to replace Starmer as party leader and prime minister.
Ahead of the vote, Starmer said he would be willing to offer Burnham a “big” role in government if elected. However, Burnham’s allies dismissed the idea, arguing that “the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government’s failings.”
Reports suggest Burnham’s supporters would prefer a smooth transition of leadership through a “coronation” rather than a potentially divisive leadership contest. Starmer, however, has repeatedly insisted he has no plans to step down and would contest any challenge.
According to reports, Burnham’s allies have also worked to prevent early resignations by government ministers that could destabilize the administration before the vote. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who is considering a leadership bid, reportedly met Burnham during campaigning, though a source said that “no deals were done.”
At his final campaign event, Burnham told supporters that “change is coming” to Westminster.
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“This is a chance to vote for change, for change in politics, for change in our economy, to vote for people, to make life better for people,” he said. He added: “It is a vote for Makerfield. It is a vote for hope.”
Burnham’s main challenger is Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon. Urging voters to reject Reform, Burnham warned that a victory for the party could result in a “darker and more divided politics.”
“There is a path that carries on and makes Britain look more and more like the United States of America, and we do not, in my view, want to end up there, where people can’t talk to each other in the street. That’s not the Britain I know, and the Britain that I love, and that’s not the path that we should be taking,” Burnham said.
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