Andy Burnham confirmed as Labour’s Candidate for Makerfield by-election

Labour have today confirmed that Andy Burnham will stand as the party’s candidate in the upcoming Makerfield by-election.

Burnham’s candidacy comes amid pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has faced criticism from his own MPs after a disappointing set of results in the recent local elections, results which saw Labour lose control of the Senedd in Wales, with 1,498 Labour Councillors losing their seats in England. 
 

MPs criticising the Prime Minister include Oldham East and Saddleworth MP, Debbie Abraham, and Salford MP, Rebecca Long-Bailey. This is in addition to the resignations of four ministers- Jess Phillips (former Safeguarding Minister), Zubir Ahmed (former Health Minister), Alex Davies-Jones (Victims Minister) and Miatta Fahnbulleh (Minister for Faith, Devolution and Communities). 
 

Burnham has hinted that, if successful in the Makerfield by-election, he will challenge the Prime Minister for the Labour leadership. Burnham said: “A vote for me is a vote to change Labour, because Labour needs to change if we are to regain people’s trust”.

If Burnham is elected, and chooses to challenge Kier Starmer for the Labour leadership, he won’t be the only one in the race to succeed the Prime Minister. Wes Streeting, who resigned as Health Secretary last Thursday, said on Saturday: “We need a proper contest with the best candidates on the field, and I will be standing.”

Reform UK’s candidate for this by-election, Robert Kenyon, has said that Burnham is purely using Makerfield as a “stepping stone.” 
 

He is one of three candidates preparing to take on Burnham in this by-election. Restore Britain, the right wing party lead by Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe, will stand Rebecca Shepherd in the race, whilst The Official Monster Raving Loony Party will stand their co-founder and leader, Alan “Howlin” Laud Hope.

This by-election comes following the resignation of Josh Simons, with the date currently TBC.