Andy Burnham Cleared to Contest Makerfield By-Election, Paving Way for Leadership Bid
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has been given the green light by Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to seek selection as the party's candidate in the Makerfield by-election. This approval reverses an earlier NEC decision in January that blocked his attempt to stand in a previous by-election.
Should Burnham secure the Makerfield candidacy and win the traditionally Labour-held seat – albeit one showing recent shifts towards Reform UK – he is widely anticipated to mount a challenge against Sir Keir Starmer for the party leadership. The prime minister has, to date, resisted calls for his resignation despite significant pressure following recent electoral setbacks and the departure of five ministers.
The Makerfield constituency became vacant when Labour MP Josh Simons resigned on Thursday to facilitate Burnham's potential return. The by-election is expected to be held on 18 June. Under current Labour Party rules, Burnham must be an MP to participate in a leadership contest.
Applications for the Makerfield candidacy close on Monday 18 May, with a selection meeting scheduled for 21 May.
In a related development, Wes Streeting resigned as Health Secretary, prompting speculation about his own leadership ambitions. While Streeting called for a broad debate on the party's future, he did not explicitly declare a leadership bid, though allies claim he commands the requisite support of 81 Labour MPs to trigger a contest. Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has also not ruled out a run but stated she would not initiate a leadership race.
The Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, criticised Burnham’s ambition to become prime minister after a decade outside Parliament. Reform UK’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, vowed his party would commit extensive resources to secure a victory in the by-election, framing it as a potentially “seismic” outcome.
