Burnham challenges Starmer’s leadership as Labour fractures over Makerfield byelection
Internal tensions surface as Burnham rules out EU return and fiscal changes, while Wes Streeting signals leadership bid and Reform UK prepares attack ads.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has drawn battle lines for the future of the Labour Party, vowing to “change Labour” and win back voters in a direct challenge to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Expected to be the party’s candidate for the Makerfield byelection, Burnham declared that the party must undergo significant transformation to regain public trust, framing the upcoming contest as a referendum on national issues where Labour has failed.
In a speech at the Great North Investment Summit, Burnham outlined a campaign focused on domestic affordability, citing rents, bills, and fares as critical areas for intervention. He acknowledged that the party’s past offerings had been insufficient, particularly in the north, where he claimed a loss of faith among voters who once viewed Labour as their natural political home. Burnham stated he would use the byelection to demonstrate how his administration could lift up local places over the next decade.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded firmly to the challenge, stating he had no intention of stepping aside should Burnham win the seat. Addressing staff at Labour headquarters, Starmer insisted he wanted to fight the next general election and would not walk away from his role. His comments set the stage for a potential leadership contest, with Starmer emphasising his duty to serve the people who voted him into office, despite briefings from Burnham’s allies suggesting hopes for an orderly transition of power.
To stabilise his position and reassure financial markets, Burnham’s allies ruled out any changes to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s fiscal rules, including previously considered exemptions for defence spending. Burnham also explicitly ruled out an immediate return to the European Union, aiming to close down debates that could derail his campaign. This stance directly challenged former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who resigned from the government and indicated he would stand in a leadership contest, calling for the UK to seek rejoining the EU.
The political landscape is further complicated by the resignation of MP Josh Simons, who officially departed the Commons on Monday, triggering the byelection. Reform UK is expected to announce its candidate shortly, having already released attack ads criticising Burnham’s search for a seat. Meanwhile, the Green Party remains divided on its strategic approach to the contest, with members debating whether to hold Labour accountable or prevent a Reform UK victory.
As the poll date is expected to be confirmed on Tuesday, tensions within Labour continue to mount. Streeting, who plans to campaign for Burnham, is set to speak in the Commons on Wednesday to outline his ideas for the party’s future. While Streeting’s allies deny his Brexit comments were intended to undermine Burnham, one Labour source suggested the former health secretary was positioning himself to the right of the party, using issues such as Brexit and Gaza to appeal to members.
Brussels experts have warned that any future application for EU membership would face a “hard-headed” reception, with member states unlikely to accept the UK on its previous terms. Despite this, Starmer has stated he remains committed to the manifesto’s red lines while seeking a closer relationship with the European Union. The Makerfield byelection is now poised to become a focal point for these broader ideological and leadership struggles within the governing party.