Andy Burnburn Moves to Contest Makerfield By-Election in Bid to Challenge Keir Starmer

On 14 May 2026, Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, announced he will seek the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee’s (NEC) permission to stand as the candidate in the Makerfield by-election, opened after MP Josh Simons resigned. Burnham says winning the seat would allow him to contest Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership.

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Reform UK won eight of Makerfield’s wards with 50.4 % of the vote, Labour fell to 22.7 % and the Greens to just under 11 %. In the 2024 general election Reform finished second with 31.8 %. After Burnham’s announcement, 10-year gilt yields rose 11 basis points to 5.10 % and the pound fell to $1.3395, its lowest since 13 April.

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Burnham told supporters he can do “only so much” as mayor and that “much bigger change is needed at a national level if everyday life is to be made more affordable again,” pledging to bring Greater Manchester’s reforms to the whole country. Downing Street said it would not block his candidacy, and NEC insiders expect a waiver. Starmer, facing pressure from within his party, reiterated his intention to remain leader.

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NEC member Luke Akehurst warned that granting a waiver would not erase the “scale of the task for the Labour Party” in a Reform-strong seat. Pollster John Curtice warned Labour’s odds would be below five per cent without Burnham, and noted Burnham’s pro-European tone could alienate a heavily Leave-leaning constituency. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage pledged to “throw absolutely everything” at the by-election.

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Sources differ on when the writ for the Makerfield by-election will be moved; the earliest date mentioned is 18 June but no official timetable exists. Market commentary also varies, with some reports emphasizing a rise in gilt yields and others focusing on the pound’s decline, leaving the overall investor impact unclear.

Bloomberg

• “I don’t want to pre-judge [the NEC’s] decision, but everything I’m hearing suggests they’re going to give him a waiver to allow him to stand even though he’s a metro mayor,” — Luke Akehurst, NEC member

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• “Much bigger change is needed at a national level if everyday life is to be made more affordable again,” — Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester

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• “Where we need vision, we have a vacuum,” — Wes Streeting, former Health Secretary

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• “Reform will throw absolutely everything” — Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader

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If the NEC grants a waiver and Burnham wins Makerfield, he must rally the support of 81 Labour MPs to trigger a leadership contest before the summer recess. The by-election will therefore serve as a litmus test for Labour’s ability to reclaim a Reform-leaning seat and could reshape the party’s leadership race ahead of the next general election.

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