Andy Burnham has moved a step closer to a potential showdown with Sir Keir Starmer after Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) ruled he would not be blocked from standing in the upcoming Makerfield by-election. The decision on Friday allows the Greater Manchester Mayor to pursue his bid to return to Parliament, a move widely seen as a precursor to a leadership challenge against the Prime Minister.
NEC Decision
Members of Labour’s powerful NEC decided not to bar Burnham for a second time this year, following his failed attempt to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election in February. He has now put himself forward as a candidate in Makerfield after backbencher Josh Simons announced his resignation, triggering a by-election. A Labour Party spokesperson confirmed: “Labour’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee has today given permission to Andy Burnham to stand in the candidate selection process in the forthcoming by-election for the Makerfield constituency.”
Leadership Speculation
Burnham is widely expected to mount a leadership challenge against Starmer if he successfully wins the seat. He received a boost on Friday when rival Wes Streeting, who quit as Health Secretary on Thursday, called for him to be selected as the party’s candidate. Streeting wrote: “We need our best players on the pitch. There is no doubt that Andy Burnham is one of them. The Makerfield by-election will be tough. Votes will need to be earned. Andy is the best chance of winning and that should override factional advantage or propping up one person.”
Allies of Streeting confirmed he would definitely stand if a leadership contest is triggered. His former ministerial aide, Rosie Wrighting, resigned her Government role, praising Streeting as “a generational talent” who has helped the NHS recover.
Starmer’s Position
Downing Street insisted Starmer is focused on governing, with a spokesperson stating: “The PM is very much focused on governing and getting on with the job.” Starmer visited the Met Police Command and Control Special Operations Room ahead of planned protests, describing a Tommy Robinson-organised march as “a stark reminder of exactly what we are up against” and accusing its organisers of “peddling hatred and division.” However, he declined to answer questions about his leadership, which has become increasingly perilous after disastrous election results and over 80 MPs calling for him to go.
By-Election Challenges
Nigel Farage has said Reform UK will “throw absolutely everything” at the by-election, where it made huge gains in local elections. Polling expert Sir John Curtice warned that winning the seat, which had a 5,000 majority in 2024, will not be easy, and failure could scupper Burnham’s ambitions. He said: “He's basically putting his political career on the line. To be able to win this by-election will mean he will have to effectively try and defy the electoral gravity as it is at the moment.”
According to Ipsos, Burnham has a net favourability of 24% across the North West, higher than any party leaders. Outgoing MP Josh Simons admitted retaining the seat would be a challenge, stating: “Sometimes in history, when people take risks and they say, `I think this is the right fight to have, but I don't know if we're going to win it', that's what changes the story. That's what changes the course of things.”
