Burnham’s uphill fight for Labour leadership heats up as Starmer resists challenge
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham faces a steep climb to unseat Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with allies warning of a perilous path ahead. Reform UK’s surge in polls and renewed Brexit tensions have turned the Makerfield by-election into a high-stakes battleground.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s allies have privately conceded that his campaign to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for Labour’s leadership is already in deep trouble, with polls showing him barely ahead of Reform UK in the critical Makerfield by-election.
Burnham, who is expected to be confirmed as Labour’s candidate for the north-west constituency this week, now faces an uphill battle not just against Starmer’s team but against Nigel Farage’s insurgent party, which has framed him as a Brexit traitor desperate for power.
💡 Pro Tip
Avoid national policy conflicts in local races—Burnham’s early flirtation with EU re-entry has handed Reform UK a powerful attack line.
Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting has been accused by Burnham’s allies of deliberately reigniting Brexit divisions to undermine his campaign, a charge Streeting denies. But the damage is done: Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has seized on the feud, branding calls to rejoin the EU a “disaster” and warning that Labour’s internal strife risks handing Starmer an unexpected lifeline.
| Party Leader | Stance on EU Re-entry | Recent Controversy |
|---|---|---|
| Keir Starmer | No immediate plan | Facing leadership challenge |
| Andy Burnham | Long-term case for rejoining | Accused of EU flip-flopping |
| Nigel Farage | Opposes any re-entry | Leading Reform UK surge |
Burnham’s team has scrambled to distance him from the EU debate, with a spokesman insisting the mayor will run on local issues and not a national manifesto. Yet his earlier comments—including a claim that there was a “case” for rejoining the bloc in the long run—have already been weaponised by opponents.
📋 By The Numbers
- 1991 — Year Ben Needham disappeared on Kos
- 2026 — Year Burnham’s road repairs budget kicks in
Meanwhile, Starmer spent the weekend in closed-door meetings weighing whether to reshuffle his cabinet or set a resignation timeline, according to sources close to the prime minister. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has emerged as one of his most vocal defenders, dismissing leadership speculation as “froth and nonsense” and praising Starmer’s resilience in past crises.
Key Points
- ✅ Burnham’s lead over Reform UK is shrinking fast in Makerfield
- ⚡ Streeting’s EU rhetoric has reignited divisions within Labour
- 💡 Badenoch is using the feud to paint Starmer as weak on Brexit
Farage, campaigning in Makerfield, told voters Burnham would “betray” Brexit supporters to climb the greasy pole, while Reform UK’s polling surge has forced Labour to rethink its strategy. Internal briefings now suggest Burnham’s campaign is in damage control mode, with advisers urging him to focus on local grievances like potholed roads and NHS delays.
- Pothole Pledge — Burnham vows £4.2 million for road repairs in 2026
- NHS Focus — Campaign events now centre on hospital waiting times
- Farage Factor — Reform UK’s rise means every swing voter counts
The political temperature has spilled into unrelated arenas, too. Burnham has pledged to ban Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in football, calling the system “killing spontaneity,” a move that has drawn both cheers and jeers from fans and pundits alike.
- 📊 Streeting’s Brexit push has energised Reform UK’s base
- 🔍 Burnham’s localist pivot may be too late to win back sceptics
- ⚠️ If Starmer survives, Burnham’s leadership ambitions could be dead
As the Makerfield by-election looms, the race has become a referendum on Labour’s future—whether to double down on Starmer’s cautious centrism or risk a gamble on Burnham’s more progressive vision. With Farage’s party gaining ground daily, the stakes could not be higher.