‘Astonishing’ win for Andy Burnham puts pressure on Starmer to step aside

Size of victory in Makerfield byelection has many allies hoping former Manchester mayor will be installed in No 10 within days

• https://viewer.gutools.co.uk/politics/live/2026/jun/18/makerfield-byelection-keir-starmer-andy-burnham-robert-kenyon-labour-leadership-reform-aberdeen-arbroath-uk-politics-latest-news-updates">UK politics – live updates

• https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/17/how-quickly-could-andy-burnham-become-the-uks-prime-minister">How quickly could Burnham become PM?

Speaking hours before polls closed in Makerfield, a Downing Street source acknowledged a rare moment of doubt about the prime minister’s future. “Keir will fight on,” the source said, repeating the message to which Keir Starmer has stuck for several weeks. “Although, that might depend on the size of the majority.”

In the end, https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/19/andy-burnham-wins-makerfield-byelection-paving-way-labour-leadership-challenge">Andy Burnham’s majority was so convincing that allies hope he can be installed in No 10 within days.

Louise Haigh, the Labour MP who helped run Burnham’s campaign, said on Thursday night: “I hope that [Starmer] will consider an orderly and managed transition.