All articles tagged with #makerfield
The prospect of Keir Starmer fighting on as Labour leader is fading as Andy Burnham’s appeal and leadership potential rise; insiders warn a leadership contest may be likely after the Makerfield by-election, ministers warn of possible party splits, and some see Starmer’s grip weakening despite past electoral gains.
Andy Burnham’s decisive Makerfield by‑election win heightens talk of a Labour leadership challenge to Keir Starmer. A formal bid would require 81 Labour MPs’ backing, and internal calls for change have intensified as Starmer fights on amid national unpopularity of the party.
Andy Burnham's Makerfield by-election win is seen as a potential stepping stone to challenging Labour leader Keir Starmer, highlighting Labour's leadership tensions amid Reform's rise and a five-party political landscape where voters express a desire for change and stronger northern influence.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election, becoming a Labour MP and boosting his bid to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for Labour’s leadership and the top job.
Labour’s Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester’s mayor, won a Makerfield parliamentary seat, boosting momentum behind the idea he could lead Labour and possibly become prime minister. He champions a regional-focused “Manchesterism,” promising to end trickle-down economics and invest in education and affordability, though critics say his policy details are vague and that national leadership is a different challenge from city governance.
Labour's Andy Burnham makes his final pitch in the Makerfield by-election, hoping to win a Westminster seat that could position him to challenge Keir Starmer for Labour leadership, with Reform UK's Robert Kenyon as the main rival; Starmer has signaled Burnham could take a senior government role if he wins, as polls open early and close late on Thursday with results expected in the early hours of Friday, in a campaign that also features Wes Streeting and broader implications for the party.
John Oliver argues that Makerfield’s byelection could be a make-or-break moment for Labour: if Andy Burnham wins and challenges Keir Starmer, Labour could regain momentum, but a loss would be a devastating humiliation amid a surge of Reform and Restore Britain on the right, making Labour’s performance in Makerfield crucial to the party’s future.
A POLITICO focus group of Makerfield voters reveals deep anger over rising living costs, immigration concerns, and a perceived two-tier Britain. While Labour’s Andy Burnham has local credibility, many distrust Keir Starmer and some plan to back Reform UK under Nigel Farage, signaling a potential shift if Reform’s message resonates. The mood is cynical but hungry for change as the pivotal Makerfield by-election approaches.
Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester’s mayor nicknamed the King of the North, is pursuing a Makerfield parliamentary seat to stake a claim in Labour’s national leadership after Wes Streeting resigns to enter the contest; his main challenger is Reform UK’s Rob Kenyon, and the by-election could become a litmus test for Labour’s northern appeal as Keir Starmer’s leadership faces scrutiny amid ongoing economic and political tensions.
The Green Party has withdrawn its candidate for the Makerfield by-election, Chris Kennedy, just hours after his nomination due to personal and family reasons. Nominations will reopen and a replacement candidate will be chosen, with a decision expected on Monday.
A Makerfield by-election is set to occur after Josh Simons stepped down to allow Andy Burnham to seek a return to Parliament. Labour has officially named Burnham as its candidate, with three other parties also fielding candidates: Alan Hope for the Official Monster Raving Loony Party, Robert Kenyon for Reform UK, and Rebecca Shepherd for Restore Britain. The by-election date hasn’t been confirmed yet, and more candidates may be announced in coming days.