What next for Andy Burnham? Five key questions after Makerfield win

Politics The Guardian By Libby Brooks 19 Jun 2026 08:11 1 min read

Labour veteran is expected to launch a leadership bid, but some critics feel he is yet to clarify his policy positions UK politics – live updates This piece is extracted from our First Edition newsletter. To sign up, click here Andy Burnham is heading back to the Commons after a resounding victory in Makerfield, putting Keir Starmer’s leadership on notice, and giving Reform something to think about. The now to be former mayor of Greater Manchester described it as the “most consequential byele

Labour veteran is expected to launch a leadership bid, but some critics feel he is yet to clarify his policy positions

UK politics – live updates

This piece is extracted from our First Edition newsletter. To sign up, click here

Andy Burnham is heading back to the Commons after a resounding victory in Makerfield, putting Keir Starmer’s leadership on notice, and giving Reform something to think about. The now to be former mayor of Greater Manchester described it as the “most consequential byelection of our lives” and promised he would not only change the constituency, but the country. Already, he has touted his win as a “turning point”.

The coming days will tell us more about what happens in terms of his expected challenge to Starmer’s premiership. But his stunning win against Reform is already being unpacked by politicians and pollsters.

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