Andy Burnham used a BBC Question Time special in the Makerfield constituency on Thursday to go public with politics’ worst-kept secret: he will seek to become Labour leader and prime minister if he succeeds in re-entering the House of Commons on 18 June.
“I think Wes Streeting seems to have launched a leadership contest, so if that is running, I would seek to join it,” Burnham said. “But I’d have to persuade members of the Parliamentary Labour Party to do the same.”
“Andy Burnham confirms he will enter any Labour leadership contest if he wins the Makerfield by-election on 18 June.”
The Greater Manchester mayor’s declaration came as he campaigned in the by-election triggered by then-Labour MP Josh Simons’ decision to step down – a move widely seen as clearing a path for Burnham to mount a leadership bid. A snap Survation poll after the debate put his support at 49 per cent, a clear ten-point lead over Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon.
Sir Keir Starmer, who has been on the phone to allies this weekend, has told supporters he will fight any leadership challenge. “The prime minister will not walk away from the mandate he was given just two years ago to build a stronger, fairer Britain,” a No 10 spokesperson said. Starmer still believes a leadership contest could plunge the country into chaos.
Cabinet ministers are now bracing for a challenge within a fortnight of the by-election result, according to a Cabinet source who told The i Paper: “There’s an expectation that if he wins, then things will move. Then, in exchange for a timescale, it’ll be: will Keir go graciously or not?”
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has thrown his support behind Starmer, telling Sky News: “He is the most resilient person… he has my full support.” Attorney General Richard Hermer said the prime minister had “consistently been underestimated” and “always proven his critics wrong”.
Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting has confirmed he would enter any potential contest and encouraged voters to back Burnham in Makerfield, saying he wants a “proper contest with the best candidates on the field”.
Any challenger must be an MP and secure the backing of 81 Labour MPs. As the sitting leader, Starmer automatically qualifies for the ballot unless he withdraws. The by-election takes place on 18 June, and a formal challenge could come before the end of the month if Burnham wins – making the coming weeks decisive for the future of Labour’s leadership.