The prospect of a leadership challenge to Sir Keir Starmer is looming closer after Andy Burnham was cleared to run for selection in the Makerfield by-election.
Labour cleared a path for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s return to Westminster, after he was given approval to enter the candidate selection process.
“Labour’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee has given permission to Andy Burnham to stand in the candidate selection process in the forthcoming by-election for the Makerfield constituency,” the Labour party confirmed on Friday.
The NEC also set out the timetable for the selection process, with applications due to close on Monday, May 18, ahead of a selection meeting on 21 May.
No date has yet been confirmed for the by-election itself, as the writ must still be moved in Parliament before a formal timetable can be set.
But, a likely date for the contest is June 18, in what is shaping up to be a closely watched and potentially difficult battle.
Josh Simons, the constituency’s current MP, announced on Thursday that he would be stepping down from his Makerfield seat to make way for Burnham to “return to his home, fight to re-enter Parliament, and if elected, drive the change our country is crying out for”.
Burnham has emerged as a frontrunner to challenge Sir Keir Starmer following disastrous Labour’s local election results last week, in which they lost 1,498 council seats, triggering political instability within the party.
I can confirm that I will be requesting the permission of the NEC to stand in the Makerfield by-election.
— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) May 14, 2026
I grew up in this area and have lived here for 25 years. I care deeply about it and its people. I know they have been let down by national politics.
Ten years ago, I…
The prime minister is facing the most severe crisis of his premiership, with more than 80 Labour MPs calling for his resignation or for him to set an immediate timeline for his departure.
Meanwhile, Burnham faces a difficult challenge in Makerfield, which stands between him and a return to Parliament, as Labour comes under pressure from both Reform and the Greens on either side.
Simons currently holds a majority of 5,399 votes in the constituency. Labour secured 18,202 votes in Makerfield at the 2024 general election, while Reform UK came second with 12,803.
The constituency of Makerfield includes much of the former seat of Ince, which was held by Labour continuously from 1906 until its abolition in 1983 — meaning Labour MPs have represented this part of Greater Manchester for 120 years.
However, Labour’s majority in Makerfield of 5,399 is smaller than the one overturned by Reform at the Runcorn & Helsby by-election in Cheshire in May 2025, and also smaller than the majority overturned by the Greens at the Gordon & Denton by-election in Greater Manchester in February 2026.
Analysis of the local election results from May 7 this year shows that, of the ten wards contested on Wigan Council that fall wholly or partly within the Makerfield parliamentary constituency, Reform candidates won every single one.
But Burnham is hoping that his personal appeal will offset Labour’s weaker national polling and carry him to victory.
Earlier, allies of Wes Streeting said he would stand in any future leadership race, further intensifying speculation about a potential leadership contest.
The former health secretary resigned on Thursday, saying he had “lost confidence” in the prime minister’s leadership, adding that it would be unprincipled for him to remain in post.
Responding to Burnham’s intention to run in the Makerfield by-election, Streeting said Labour needs “our best players on the pitch” and “Andy Burnham is one of them”.
For decades, Westminster has overseen the managed decline of towns like mine. We have talked big, then acted small, stuck in a politics of incrementalism that cannot meet the moment. We have lost the trust of those our party was built to serve.
— Josh Simons MP (@joshsimonsmp) May 14, 2026
It is my unwavering belief that…
In a post on X, he wrote: “We need our best players on the pitch. There is no doubt that Andy Burnham is one of them.
“The Makerfield by-election will be tough.
“Votes will need to be earned. Andy is the best chance of winning and that should override factional advantage or propping up one person.”
According to the i, Education Secretary Bridget Philipson told BBC Radio 4’s The Week in Westminster programme that Mr Burnham would be a “strong candidate” but said Sir Keir had her “full support”.
“He’s been a great mayor in Greater Manchester. I’ve worked with him really closely on everything from SEND reform to skills, further education, so I know he’ll be a strong candidate in putting himself forward.”
She added: “I’ll be campaigning for whoever the Labour candidate is in the by-election in Makerfield. That’s my responsibility.”
Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell reiterated her support for Mr Burnham, telling The Guardian: “Should he be our candidate, Andy’s story, Andy’s narrative, Andy’s connection to the place will absolutely be at the forefront of it all. He is very much what keeps a seat like that in play for us.”
Former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, who stepped down on Tuesday, said to The Times: “It feels very untenable at the moment. He can’t ignore the dissent within his own ranks… Keir’s got to start making clear his vision for the country. He tried this week, and it didn’t work.”
Data suggests the combined cost of running a mayoral election in Greater Manchester and the Makerfield by-election may reach £5 million.
Responding to this, Kemi Badenoch said that while it is “not convention” for parties to pay for by-elections, “it is quite clear that this by-election has been created because of Labour’s chaos”.
Speaking at an electrical engineering manufacturer in Saffron Walden, in her North West Essex constituency on Friday, the Tory leader said: “It is not convention that parties pay for by-elections, but it is quite clear that this by-election has been created because of Labour’s chaos and other protest parties will exploit this.
“We’re going to spend a lot of time talking about by-elections and Westminster bubble issues, instead of the things that matter to the country.”
