LONDON (AP) — Britain is currently facing a chaotic political landscape, with many believing that Andy Burnham, the popular mayor of Greater Manchester, could be the key to revitalizing the situation. However, he is not yet eligible to challenge the beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer for leadership of the Labour Party.
At 56 years old, Burnham is perceived as Starmer's most prominent rival, especially due to his alignment with the political left. His reputation as the "King of the North" has grown through his strong advocacy for northern England's working-class culture and its heritage. This title, reminiscent of the popular character Jon Snow from "Game of Thrones," signifies that he is viewed as outside the London-centric political establishment, a perception that resonates well with voters in the north. His three significant mayoral victories since 2017 indicate his capability to secure electoral success.
However, Burnham's political journey has not been without setbacks. He previously served in Gordon Brown's Cabinet from 2007 to 2010 and ran unsuccessfully for the leadership of the Labour Party twice, in 2010 and 2015. Nonetheless, his departure from Parliament allowed him to develop stronger communicative abilities and a more relatable image, which included shifting from formal suits and ties to a smarter casual style, often featuring sneakers. This transformation helped him connect better with the electorate.
His prominence notably increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he emerged as the de facto spokesperson for northern England, often criticizing then-Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson's "London-centric" handling of the crisis. Currently, Burnham is prepared to resign as the mayor of Greater Manchester should he win a forthcoming special parliamentary election in Makerfield, which is situated approximately 20 miles (32 km) west of Manchester.
Following a recent announcement by Labour's Josh Simons that he would step down, Burnham’s path back to the House of Commons became clearer. Although he was previously blocked from running in an earlier election, Labour's executive body has now granted him permission to run for the anticipated special election in Makerfield, expected to occur within the next two months. This election is poised to be one of the most significant in U.K. political history, with many anticipating a fierce battle.
Burnham has expressed a deep commitment to restoring trust in the Labour Party among Makerfield constituents, many of whom have felt disillusioned. Simons had secured the seat by roughly 5,400 votes during Labour's landslide victory in 2024, but the political climate has shifted dramatically since then, with the anti-immigrant Reform UK party recently making significant gains in local elections across the country, including in Makerfield.
Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform UK party, announced that they would pour all resources into contesting this seat. Despite the challenges posed by the Reform party, analysts believe that Burnham's local stature and his reputation for achieving results may benefit him in the election. Tim Bale, a politics professor at Queen Mary University of London, underscores Burnham’s strong recognition in the northwest and his potential as a contender to unseat Starmer if he manages to secure a return to Parliament.
Although Labour historically has not ousted a leader mid-term in government, the rules allow for a leadership challenge. Should Burnham succeed in winning a seat, he would need to trigger or join a leadership contest, requiring backing from at least 81 of Labour's 403 members. Starmer’s commitment to remain in office means he would automatically be defended during any leadership contest. Wes Streeting, a prominent figure in the party, has recently signaled support for Burnham, promoting the idea of having the best candidates contend for leadership without explicitly endorsing Burnham as his replacement.
In addition to Burnham and Streeting, other figures such as former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and former party leader Ed Miliband may also consider running. The outcome of the Makerfield by-election is likely to have significant repercussions for the Labour Party, affecting whether Starmer feels he can retain leadership if Burnham manages to claim victory.
