Labour’s Andy Burnham secured a resounding victory in the Makerfield by-election last night, capturing 55% of the ballots cast and defeating his chief opponent, Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon, by over 9,000 votes. The contest was triggered by former MP Josh Simons’, decision to step down, citing Burnham’s rising popularity as “too big an opportunity to miss”.
Following Andy Burnham’s Makerfield victory, the outgoing Mayor of Greater Manchester is now expected to challenge the Prime Minister for leadership within a matter of days. Sir Keir Starmer has said he has no intention to resign, insisting that it would be a “bad thing for the country”, at a time of domestic and geopolitical uncertainty.
There are however, indications to the contrary. Burnham’s victory is the latest manifestation of a public appetite for political change following Labour’s disappointing performance in May’s local elections. With more than 100 Labour MPs publicly calling on Starmer to step down, and the outgoing mayor’s ostensible popularity, could a Burnham-led Labour Party mark the “turning point” Britain supposedly needs?
Manchesterism: Is Andy Burnham’s Makerfield Victory “A Final Chance to Change”?
Andy Burnham’s Makerfield victory can be attributed in part to his track record of visible change as Mayor of Greater Manchester. He has built this positive reputation around achievements including bringing buses back under local control through the ‘Bee Network’, and facilitating economic growth in his constituency at twice the national rate.
He attributes these successes to his own political philosophy of “Manchesterism”, that is, a “distinct economic and political model rooted in devolution, long-term planning, and good growth”. In a recently published article by Politics UK, he referred to Manchesterism as “both a way of governing and a strategy for rebuilding a modern industrial economy”.
If successful, Burnham is likely to champion this devolved strategy of governance in Parliament, creating a “new model of public services based on integration and collaboration rather than fragmentation and competition”, by granting more autonomy to local-decision makers. In doing so, he hopes to overcome national inequalities by empowering the North.
What Could Andy Burnham’s Makerfield Victory Mean for The UK Economy?
Burnham, in a speech celebrating his victory earlier today, stressed the need for “an economy that works for everybody”. He referenced a need to overhaul Britain’s current economic model, which he claims is designed to accommodate London’s financial and political centres, whilst leaving communities like Makerfield across the North and Midlands, behind.
The new MP claimed that national growth would therefore start with policies enacted from the ground up, which work for people across the country as a whole. This would include a more interventionist approach, whereby the government actively supports British businesses, invests in infrastructure, and encourages the growth of domestic industries. Central to his vision is a programme of reindustrialisation, which could create new jobs and counter a decade of economic decline in the aftermath of Brexit.
Parliament’s Impending Leadership Challenge
However, despite the momentum generated by Andy Burnham’s Makerfield victory, his path to the Premiership is far from decided. Starmer has made it clear that he intends to contest any impending leadership challenge, insisting that a change of Prime Minister would be damaging for the country at a time of international uncertainty.
Meanwhile, Burnham’s popularity may not be as straightforward as the by-election suggests. A recent YouGov poll found that his favourability ratings have declined since mid-May, during the period that saw Labour’s internal revolt against Starmer, the resignation of Wes Streeting, and growing speculation surrounding the newly-appointed MP’s own political ambitions.
This suggests that while Burnham continues to command strong support in Greater Manchester and among a faction of Labour representatives, the wider British public remains divided over whether he can deliver meaningful change on a national scale.
For some, Andy Burnham’s Makerfield victory represents a fresh political vision centred on devolution, economic renewal, and regional empowerment. For others, the MP embodies yet another figure in Labour’s ongoing internal power struggle, rather than a genuine break from the politics voters have grown increasingly frustrated with.
Ultimately, the significance of Andy Burnham’s Makerfield victory extends beyond yesterday’s results. His chance at becoming Prime Minister will depend on whether he can persuade a majority of MPs that his vision offers a credible alternative to the present mode of governance. The outcome of the by-election is therefore consequential not only on a regional scale, but for the future of British politics in its entirety.
Photo Credit: Andy Burnham’s “Thank you Tweet” on X
In-text Image: Rwendland
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