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2w ago

Andy Burnham Set to Contest Makerfield By-Election as Polls Show Reform Lead

If he wins the 18 June seat Burnham could return to Parliament and press a leadership challenge that would reshape Labour's short-term strategy.

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Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is taking on Reform in the Makerfield by-election in a bid to return to Parliament so he can challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Rare public divisions were on display this week between Reform’s home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf (left) and former Tory Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick (right), who defected to Nigel Farage’s (centre) party
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Overview

  • Labour confirmed Andy Burnham as its candidate for the Makerfield by-election on 18 June and he is widely viewed inside the party as the frontrunner to replace Keir Starmer.
  • A BMG poll reported this week shows a Burnham-led Labour at 20% and Reform UK at 23%, suggesting a modest 'Burnham bump' but leaving Reform ahead nationally.
  • Burnham told The Observer he 'would try and work with all political parties' and has not ruled out cooperation with the Greens when asked about electoral pacts.
  • Several outlets report that Burnham's team is 'wargaming' a snap general election and discussing cabinet line-ups but those claims are based on unnamed insiders and Burnham has urged people not to believe unconfirmed stories.
  • Winning Makerfield is the necessary first step for any formal leadership bid because party rules require an MP to secure 81 Labour MP nominations to trigger a contest, and the seat is unusually competitive given its Leave vote and strong Reform UK support.