Makerfield's by-election landslide ignites pressure on Starmer as Labour weighs leadership transition

ANDY Burnham's emphatic victory in the Makerfield by-election has transformed Labour's internal leadership debate into an immediate political crisis, with growing numbers of MPs urging Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to oversee a managed transition rather than risk a divisive contest for the party's future.

The scale of Burnham's triumph, which saw Labour increase its vote share by 10 percentage points and defeat Reform UK by more than 9,000 votes, has emboldened supporters who believe the former Greater Manchester mayor is now the party's strongest prospect to lead both Labour and the country.

Senior figures close to Burnham are calling on Sir Keir to use the weekend to reflect on his position, consult Cabinet colleagues and family members, and consider announcing a timetable for his departure.

Despite the intensifying pressure, the Prime Minister has ruled out resigning and pledged to fight any leadership contest.

"I was elected to serve my country with a mandate that we secured at a general election two years ago," BBC reported Keir saying.

He argued that his government had delivered economic stability while bringing immigration "back under control", adding that there remained significant work ahead.

"But if there is a contest, yes I will run. I will stand and I have said repeatedly I am not going to walk away from that."

Seeking to steady party nerves, Sir Keir also appealed for unity during a call with Labour staff.

"The one thing we've got to avoid doing is plunging our party and our country into chaos by turning on each other and tearing apart our party and our movement.

"That has never worked. That's what the last government did. We need to learn that lesson."

Behind the scenes, however, Cabinet discussions have intensified following the by-election result.

The Prime Minister spent much of Friday speaking individually with senior ministers to assess the level of support within his Cabinet. It is understood that Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander raised the possibility of setting a timetable for his departure, although her office declined to comment on the substance of their private conversation.

"Heidi and the PM spoke this afternoon as part of wider cabinet calls. It was a private conversation and I am not going to reveal what was said," her spokesperson said.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is understood to have reaffirmed her support for Sir Keir following the result, while other senior ministers are expected to confront the leadership issue when Cabinet meets next week.

Burnham's allies, together with supporters of Health Secretary Wes Streeting, have deliberately avoided media appearances over the weekend, signalling they are allowing the Prime Minister space to determine his next move before any formal leadership campaign begins.

Fresh from his parliamentary victory, Burnham presented the result as the beginning of a wider political movement.

"It was an opportunity to turn the tide… make the country feel like it's working again,"  he told supporters.

He pledged to carry forward the momentum generated during the campaign and "change British politics forever".

Former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, a close Burnham ally, said she hoped Labour could achieve "a managed and orderly transition".

The pressure on Sir Keir has also spread across Labour's parliamentary ranks.

Bracknell MP Peter Swallow, who had previously backed the Prime Minister, announced he now believed Sir Keir should resign.

"Frankly, our inability to agree a defence investment plan in a timely fashion was the last straw," he said, adding that he would support Burnham for the leadership.

Bassetlaw MP Jo White also urged the Prime Minister to consider stepping aside.

"I think he needs the peace and quiet of his family and listening to his ministers and I think he should announce on Monday morning that there will be a smooth transition and we allow Andy Burnham to become the next prime minister for the United Kingdom."

She added that voters in her constituency were telling her "they did not want Keir Starmer to be the prime minister".

Not all Labour figures share that view.

Justice Minister Catherine Atkinson defended the Prime Minister's leadership, arguing he possessed the resilience to withstand the current political storm.

"We saw the constant change of prime ministers under the Conservatives and it wasn't edifying.

"We cannot afford to get distracted - there is just too much to do."

Burnham's return to Westminster after nine years now makes him eligible to contest the Labour leadership, an option unavailable while serving as Greater Manchester mayor.

Under Labour rules, a challenger must secure nominations from 81 Labour MPs to trigger a leadership election, a threshold Burnham is widely expected to meet should he decide to stand. Wes Streeting is also believed to have sufficient parliamentary backing to enter a contest, although allies suggest he could withdraw if support consolidates around Burnham.

As the incumbent leader, Sir Keir would automatically qualify for any leadership ballot without requiring nominations.

Elsewhere, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described his party's second-place finish in Makerfield as "disappointing", arguing that tactical voting had benefited Labour.

"I would say directly to them, what do you want? We are the challenger party to the left in this country. And I would urge you to think again, I really, really would."

Meanwhile, Scotland produced mixed fortunes for the major parties, with the SNP retaining Arbroath and Broughty Ferry but losing Aberdeen South to the Conservatives in the party's first Scottish by-election victory for more than half a century.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the Scottish result demonstrated public backing for expanded North Sea oil and gas drilling and accused Labour of neglecting the country's pressing concerns.

She said Labour was "so obsessed about their own party drama that they are not interested in the cost of living, they are not interested in what is happening to people all across this country, what is impacting their lives". - June 20, 2026