Makerfield byelection opens path for Burnham leadership challenge amid Labour crisis

The Labour Party is bracing for a significant internal confrontation after Josh Simons, the Member of Parliament for Makerfield, announced he will stand down from the House of Commons. The resignation triggers a byelection in the Greater Manchester constituency, which Labour holds with a majority of just over 5,000, and creates a direct pathway for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to seek selection and return to parliament.

This development marks a pivotal shift in the party’s internal dynamics, as Burnham has been seeking to re-enter the Commons for months. Earlier this year, the Labour National Executive Committee (NEC) prevented Burnham from contesting the Gorton and Denton byelection, a decision that angered his supporters and was widely interpreted as a move by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to consolidate control. However, sources close to Starmer indicate that the Prime Minister may no longer be in a position to block Burnham’s selection in Makerfield, despite the potential for a leadership contest before the next general election.

The political landscape for Starmer has deteriorated sharply following poor results in recent local and devolved elections across England, Scotland, and Wales. The Prime Minister’s authority has been critically undermined by these outcomes, leading to an angry response from backbench MPs and a growing consensus that a change in leadership is necessary to counter the rise of Reform UK.

Compounding the crisis, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has resigned from the government, submitting a letter to Starmer that explicitly states he no longer supports the Prime Minister. Streeting cited a loss of confidence in Starmer’s ability to develop a viable plan to counter Reform UK, reflecting broader anxieties within the parliamentary party. His departure follows calls from approximately 100 Labour MPs who have signed a letter urging Starmer to step down voluntarily to avoid a formal vote of no confidence.

Senior figures within the party, including Deputy Leader Angela Rayner and the departing Health Secretary, have avoided announcing direct leadership bids but have consistently encouraged Starmer to leave office. One senior backer of Burnham told The Guardian that the alignment of figures from Rayner to Streeting indicates the party is united in wanting Burnham to have a chance. The backer argued that it would be foolish for Starmer to block Burnham again, noting that the Mayor connects best with the public and that MPs from across the party would respond furiously to any further obstruction.

While the route is now open, it remains unconfirmed whether Burnham will formally stand in the Makerfield byelection, nor is it clear if his return will automatically trigger a leadership bid. Nevertheless, the convergence of the byelection with the resignation of a cabinet minister and the mass defection of parliamentary support suggests that Starmer’s position is increasingly untenable.