Andy Burnham has for the first time explicitly said he would join a Labour leadership contest if he wins the Makerfield by-election on 18 June, a declaration that prompted an immediate rebuttal from Downing Street.
Appearing on a BBC Question Time special in the constituency alongside four other candidates, the Greater Manchester mayor was pressed on his ambitions. “If I get your support, I would seek to represent you at the highest possible level and give this constituency maximum power and influence,” he said. “I think Wes Streeting seems to have launched a leadership contest, so if that is running I would seek to join it.”
“Andy Burnham says he would join a Labour leadership contest if he wins the Makerfield by-election on 18 June.”
Any challenger must be an MP and secure the backing of 81 Labour MPs. The by-election was triggered after then-Labour MP Josh Simons stepped down, a move he said was to allow Burnham to run for Parliament and potentially mount a leadership bid.
A No 10 spokesperson responded: “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 insisted a contest had not been triggered, adding that Sir Keir had his “full support”. Attorney General Richard Hermer said the prime minister had “consistently been underestimated”.
Burnham has used the campaign to break with government policy. In an interview with the Guardian, he said nationalising Thames Water “absolutely an option” and added: “Public ownership is absolutely an option. I would say for Thames Water, that is what should be done.” He criticised water company profits almost doubling while bills rose. The Guardian understands he has met water campaigners including the former Undertones frontman Feargal Sharkey.
He also vowed to cut business rates for pubs, telling City A.M. that Labour had “got it wrong” on small businesses, marking a clear break with Keir Starmer’s government.
Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon warned against using Makerfield as a “stepping stone” and said there was a need for a “big move away from career politicians”. He criticised Burnham’s record, saying “while Manchester thrives, we’re struggling to survive in Wigan.” One audience member shot back: “I’d rather have a career politician than a plumber who’s a sexist.”
Burnham also criticised Nigel Farage’s response to the Henry Nowak case, saying the Reform leader’s appeal to “pure, cold rage” reminded him of US politics and “should be avoided in Britain”.
The by-election is expected to be a two-horse race between Burnham and Kenyon, a plumber and local councillor. Streeting, who has confirmed he would enter any potential contest, encouraged people to back Burnham in Makerfield, saying he wants a “proper contest with the best candidates on the field”. Whether Burnham can persuade enough Labour MPs to back a challenge remains the unresolved question.