Prime Minister Keir Starmer will personally campaign for Andy Burnham in next month’s Makerfield by-election, a move that underscores the Labour Party’s push for a united front ahead of the general election.
Starmer’s decision to stump for Burnham—a former leadership rival—marks a rare public display of solidarity between the two senior Labour figures. The Prime Minister confirmed the move during a closed-door meeting with Labour MPs in Westminster on Monday, according to multiple sources within the party.
📋 By The Numbers
- 2019 — Labour lost Makerfield to the Conservatives by 2,556 votes
- 2024 — Starmer’s Labour leads national polls by 22 points
The by-election was triggered after Labour MP Yvonne Fovargue announced her resignation last month after 18 years in Parliament. Fovargue, who held the seat with a majority of 8,969 in 2019, cited health reasons for her departure. Her resignation has set the stage for a fiercely contested race in the traditionally Labour-leaning constituency of Makerfield, which includes Wigan and parts of St Helens.
Key Points
- ✅ Starmer’s campaign appearance signals Labour unity
- ⚡ Makerfield is a key bellwether for Labour’s 2024 strategy
- 💡 The by-election will test Labour’s grip on Red Wall seats
Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester and a former Labour leadership contender, has been tipped as a potential cabinet minister should Starmer lead Labour to victory. His campaign in Makerfield will focus on issues such as NHS funding, local job growth, and levelling up—core themes of Labour’s general election pitch.
| Constituency | 2019 Result | 2024 Polls |
|---|---|---|
| Makerfield | Labour +8,969 | Labour lead by 22 points nationally |
| Voters | 52,000 registered | Turnout expected at 55% |
The Conservatives have yet to name their candidate, but local party sources suggest they are preparing a high-profile push to reclaim the seat. The Liberal Democrats and Reform UK have also indicated they will field candidates, though neither is expected to threaten Labour’s dominance.
💡 Pro Tip
For Labour, a strong Makerfield performance could signal momentum in the North West, where the party is banking on a surge in working-class support to secure a landslide.
Polling released last week by Survation put Labour’s lead nationally at 22 points, the widest margin since the 2019 election. However, local canvassing data suggests the Makerfield race remains tight, with Burnham’s personal popularity facing scrutiny over his handling of Greater Manchester’s devolution deal with Westminster.
- 📊 Burnham’s approval rating in Wigan stands at 58%, per internal Labour polling
- 🔍 The by-election is the first major test of Labour’s “soft left” strategy in the North
- ⚠️ A low turnout could benefit the Conservatives in this traditionally Labour area
The Prime Minister’s decision to campaign in Makerfield follows a pattern of Starmer personally intervening in key by-elections, a strategy aimed at shoring up support in marginal seats. His last public campaign stop was in Blackpool South, where Labour is defending a majority of just 3,600 votes.
- September 20 — Starmer confirms campaign appearance in Makerfield
- October 15 — Deadline for candidate nominations
- October 24 — Early voting begins
- November 14 — Polling day
Labour strategists privately admit the Makerfield by-election is as much about sending a message to the Conservatives as it is about winning the seat. A victory for Burnham would reinforce Labour’s dominance in the North West and blunt Tory attempts to frame Starmer as a leader out of touch with working-class voters.