Andy Burnham Is An MP Again. What Happens Now?

Andy Burnham has just won the Makerfield by-election by a landslide, meaning he is finally in a position to challenge Keir Starmer.

His win in the north-west constituency – with a healthy majority of over 9,000 – means Burnham is now an MP once again after a nine-year absence from Westminster, and Starmer’s premiership has now reached a new level of jeopardy.

As Labour’s most popular politician, the soon-to-be-former Greater Manchester mayor is seen by his supporters as the only man who can win back disillusioned voters from Reform UK.

So what happens now? Here’s what could unfold in the coming days.

He is not expected to challenge Starmer before he is sworn in as Makerfield MP in the House of Commons next week.

But he has dropped heavy hints about his impending plans to topple the PM, saying in his victory speech that it was the “final chance” for Labour to change.

A Labour MP needs the support of at least 81 of his parliamentary colleagues to trigger a leadership contest – and Burnham in understood to have already cleared that threshold.

His allies have also rejected Starmer’s earlier offer of a job in his government, calling it a “non-starter”.

The prime minister has publicly insisted he will not be standing down and those around him are encouraging him to fight on.

Under Labour rules, as leader his name would automatically go on the ballot paper if a contest takes place.

But his position remains precarious, with the possibility that more cabinet members could quit in an attempt to force him out.

Burnham’s team have reportedly told ministers to delay resignations to avoid causing chaos.

That all depends on what Starmer does next.

Burnham’s allies want the prime minister to set out a timetable for his departure in the coming weeks, paving the way for a smooth transition of power to their man.

That would give Burnham time to finalise his own policy platform and prepare for a “coronation”, assuming no other MPs throw their hats into the ring.

Wes Streeting, who resigned as health secretary last month, has said he will take part in any contest, while former armed forces minister Al Carns has made clear his own leadership ambitions.

HuffPost UK also revealed that female Labour MPs are urging Yvette Cooper to run.

However, YouGov polling shows Burnham would comfortably beat them all in a vote by Labour Party members.

The cost of finding a replacement for Burnham is estimated to land at a pricey £4.7 million.

Burnham’s critics have often pointed to that sum – and his 63.4% vote share in the 2024 mayoral election – as a reason for him to stay in the post until his term was up.

But, MPs are not permitted to also work as regional mayors because that role incorporates the job of police and crime commissioner.

So another by-election is set for July 30.

It’s unclear if the government will try to implement a new voting system for the contest, switching to the supplementary vote system from the first-past-the-post system, as previously promised.

Either way, the mayoral election is set to be another hotly-contested race, with the Greens, Reform and Labour all expected to fight it out.

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