Key facts
- Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election, increasing Labour's vote share.
- Following Burnham's victory, Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces calls to resign from within his own party.
- Lord Charlie Falconer stated Starmer has "absolutely no authority" and should step aside for Burnham.
- Several senior ministers, including Heidi Alexander, Ed Miliband, and Yvette Cooper, have reportedly urged Starmer to set a departure timetable.
- Burnham's allies suggest he has sufficient MP backing to trigger a leadership contest.
- Burnham consulted economists to bolster his economic credentials ahead of the by-election.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing significant pressure to resign following Andy Burnham's decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election. Lord Charlie Falconer, a former justice secretary, stated that Starmer has "absolutely no authority" and should step aside for Burnham without a leadership contest. The "mood and buzz" surrounding Burnham is described as "very strong," with Falconer suggesting a contest would be "bad for the country."
Several senior ministers have reportedly urged Starmer to set a timetable for his departure. Transport secretary Heidi Alexander, energy secretary Ed Miliband, and foreign secretary Yvette Cooper are among those who have allegedly conveyed this message. Despite these calls, Starmer has publicly insisted he will fight any leadership challenge. He is expected to discuss his future with family and allies over the weekend.
Burnham's allies claim he has secured the backing of 200 Members of Parliament, exceeding the 81 needed to trigger a leadership contest. Burnham himself warned that Labour has a "final chance to change" after his win, defeating Reform UK's Robert Kenyon by 9,231 votes and increasing Labour's vote share by 9.6%. Wes Streeting, the former health secretary, has also indicated he has the backing for a bid, though polling suggests he may not fare well against Burnham or Starmer.
In preparation for his potential national political role, Burnham consulted with prominent economists, including former OBR chair Richard Hughes and ex-Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane, to enhance his economic credentials. He had previously faced criticism for remarks about government debt and bond markets but committed during the campaign to retaining Rachel Reeves' fiscal rules.