Andy Burnham announced on Thursday night that he would seek to become Labour leader and prime minister if he wins the Makerfield by-election on 18 June, triggering an immediate response from No 10. Speaking on a BBC Question Time special in the constituency, the Greater Manchester mayor said: “If I get your support, I would seek to represent you at the highest possible level. I think Wes Streeting seems to have launched a leadership contest, so if that is running I would seek to join it.” Burnham’s declaration turned the subtext of the by-election into open text. The contest was called after the sitting Labour MP, Josh Simons, stepped down – a move he said was to allow Burnham to run for parliament and mount a potential leadership bid.
Burnham’s comments came as he faced Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon, a plumber and local councillor, who warned against using Makerfield as a “stepping stone”. Kenyon said there was a need for a “big move away from career politicians” and contrasted Wigan with Manchester: “While Manchester thrives, we’re struggling to survive in Wigan.” One audience member pushed back, saying: “I’d rather have a career politician than a plumber who’s a sexist.” Reform UK later confirmed Kenyon had spent hours in preparation for the programme.
“Andy Burnham says he will seek Labour leadership if he wins the Makerfield by-election on 18 June.”
Burnham used the platform to sharpen his offer, criticising “point-scoring before problem-solving” in Westminster and attacking Nigel Farage’s response to the Henry Nowak case. He said the Reform leader’s appeal to “pure, cold rage” reminded him of US politics and should be avoided in Britain.
Separately, Burnham told the Guardian that Thames Water should be nationalised, saying public ownership would “absolutely be an option” under his leadership. He noted that water company profits had almost doubled while households faced hefty bill rises, and that Thames Water – serving about a quarter of England’s population – is drowning in £20bn of debt and close to collapse. The government is weighing a special administration or a deal that would write off up to £1bn in fines and hand part-control to Trump donor Paul Singer. Burnham has met water campaigners including former Undertones frontman Feargal Sharkey.
No 10 responded before the programme ended, with a spokesperson saying: “The Labour Party has a process for challenging a leader and it has not been triggered. The prime minister will not walk away from the mandate he was given just two years ago to build a stronger, fairer Britain.” Justice Secretary David Lammy added that if a contest were triggered, Starmer “will be in it”. Attorney General Richard Hermer said the prime minister had “consistently been underestimated” and “always proven his critics wrong”. Wes Streeting, who has confirmed he would enter any contest, encouraged voters to back Burnham in Makerfield, saying he wanted a “proper contest with the best candidates on the field”. Any challenger needs the backing of 81 Labour MPs. Burnham is not yet an MP – that depends on the result on 18 June.