Andy Burnham Says He Would Join Labour Leadership Contest if He Wins Makerfield By-Election, as Starmer Defies Calls to Resign

Andy Burnham said he would seek to enter any potential Labour leadership contest if he wins the Makerfield by-election on 18 June. The Greater Manchester mayor made the statement during a BBC Question Time special held in the constituency. Burnham appeared alongside four other candidates.

He criticised "point-scoring before problem-solving" in Westminster and said any move would require support from the Parliamentary Labour Party. "I think Wes Streeting seems to have launched a leadership contest, so if that is running I would seek to join it, but I'd have to persuade members of the Parliamentary Labour Party to do the same," Burnham said.

Any challenger must be an MP and secure the backing of 81 Labour MPs.

The by-election was called after former Labour MP Josh Simons stepped down. Simons said the move was intended to allow Burnham to run for Parliament and potentially mount a leadership bid. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has faced calls from some Labour MPs to step down after poor election results last month.

No formal challenge has been launched. " Conservative candidate Michael Winstanley questioned why Burnham was seeking a return to Parliament after pledging to serve his current term as mayor. " Burnham replied that "you cannot control events in politics" and noted Labour's losses to Reform in recent council elections in the area.

The vote is expected to be a race between Burnham and Kenyon. A full list of candidates appears on the BBC website.