Andy Burnham launched his campaign to return to Westminster in the Makerfield by-election, declaring that support for him would be a "vote to change Labour." The Greater Manchester mayor, widely seen as a potential challenger to Sir Keir Starmer for the party leadership, said Labour "need to be better than we have been" and promised to give voters "the party back they used to know."
Campaign Launch
Speaking at his launch event in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Mr Burnham said: "I know my own party needs to change. We need to be better than we have been. A vote for me in this by-election is a vote to change Labour." He added that the voters of Makerfield would get "the party back they used to know" and insisted he was not offering "more of the same."
"This is a change by-election. Politics in this country, British politics, is tired. It needs a new script and over the next four weeks the people of Makerfield are going to write that script," he said.
Leadership Speculation
Mr Burnham is widely viewed as Sir Keir's main rival for the top job if he wins the by-election on June 18. Allies have suggested he may not launch an immediate leadership bid, but his return to Parliament would intensify pressure on the Prime Minister, who suffered devastating election setbacks earlier in May.
Policy Stances
Speaking to reporters after his speech, Mr Burnham—a supporter of electoral reform—said he wants Labour's next manifesto to commit to proportional representation, but ruled out changing the system before the next election, saying: "I think you've got to honour manifestos." He also called for more radical policies within Labour's 2024 manifesto, including building more council houses, rail renationalisation, and reforming council tax, which he described as "a highly regressive tax" based on outdated 1991 valuations.
Support and Opposition
Mr Burnham's campaign launch was attended by several Labour backbenchers, his close friend Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, and Chief Whip Jonathan Reynolds. Pollsters indicate that Mr Burnham's candidacy significantly boosts Labour's chances of retaining the seat, but it could still be a tough contest against Reform UK. The previous Labour MP, Josh Simons, won in 2024 by just 5,399 votes, while Reform comfortably won every ward in the constituency at this month's local elections.
The Liberal Democrats have selected Stockport councillor Jake Austin as their candidate, who said the people of Makerfield "deserve so much more than the failing Labour Government or the divisive politics of Reform UK." The Green Party's candidate, Chris Kennedy, withdrew hours after being selected due to "personal and family reasons," though it later emerged he had shared controversial social media posts. Reform's Robert Kenyon, a plumber who said he is "ready to take on the King of the North," posted a video with Nigel Farage travelling in his van, emphasising that Makerfield is his home.
