Burnham’s Makerfield bid puts Starmer’s leadership to the test

The by-election, prompted by the resignation of a Labour incumbent, has transformed a local race into a high-stakes referendum on Starmer’s tenure. While Burnham characterizes his campaign as a push to address decades of economic stagnation in the region, opponents view his candidacy as a calculated maneuver to secure a base of operations for a national leadership bid. Labour has mobilized heavy resources, dispatching senior ministers to bolster Burnham against Reform UK’s candidate, Robert Kenyon.

Internal party pressure is mounting, with figures like former health minister Wes Streeting openly urging Starmer to step aside. Should Burnham secure the seat, he would immediately become the primary challenger to the Prime Minister. Behind the scenes, senior Labour lawmakers are already discussing a potential transition, hoping to avoid a protracted, divisive leadership campaign that could damage the party’s standing ahead of the 2029 national election. If a deal is struck, Burnham might offer key cabinet roles to rivals to ensure a swift, controlled transfer of power, effectively sidelining a prolonged public contest.