Story perspectives

Burnham Wins Makerfield; Ministers Urge Starmer Resignation

6/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election with 54.8% and will be sworn in Monday.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband have told Prime Minister Keir Starmer he should resign.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer spent the weekend consulting ministers and leaders and has not announced a decision, and Andy Burnham prefers an orderly transition in early September and rules out an immediate leadership challenge.

History

Historical Context

Britain’s 23 June 2016 EU referendum saw 51.9% vote to leave, prompting David Cameron’s resignation and Theresa May’s rise to a fragile minority government. That episode showed how electoral shock can destabilise party leadership, a pattern echoed today as Labour’s Andy Burnham captured Makerfield with 54.8% and senior ministers press Prime Minister Keir Starmer to quit.

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Story summary

Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election with 54.8% and will be sworn in Monday.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband have told Prime Minister Keir Starmer he should resign.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer spent the weekend consulting ministers and leaders and has not announced a decision, and Andy Burnham prefers an orderly transition in early September and rules out an immediate leadership challenge.

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