A local election in the northern English constituency of Makerfield is drawing national attention as a potential political turning point that could pave the way for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to return to parliament and mount a bid for the Labour leadership.
The vote, triggered by a resignation from a Labour MP, is being closely watched as a test of support for both Labour and Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, in a traditional Labour stronghold near Manchester.
Burnham, 56, has sought to frame the contest as a focus on local economic recovery rather than national leadership ambitions, despite growing speculation over his political future.
“Change is coming, but the question tonight is what kind of change?” he told supporters in a speech broadcast on social media, arguing for an end to decades of economic policy he said had failed to deliver for working communities.
He has previously made two unsuccessful bids for Labour leadership and has repeatedly downplayed suggestions that the Makerfield vote is a stepping stone to Downing Street.
The result is being seen within Labour as a possible trigger for renewed leadership tensions involving Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose authority has been under scrutiny following mixed polling performance since Labour’s landslide victory in 2024.
While Labour officials express confidence that Burnham can win the seat, Reform UK’s candidate Robert Kenyon has mounted a strong challenge, with polls suggesting a close contest.
A newly formed right-wing party, Restore Britain, is also expected to split parts of the conservative vote, adding further unpredictability to the outcome.
If Burnham wins, political observers say he would be in a strong position to enter any future Labour leadership contest, potentially challenging Starmer directly.
Some Labour MPs are reportedly urging a swift resolution to avoid a prolonged internal battle, with concerns that a drawn-out leadership contest could damage the party’s standing ahead of the next general election, expected in 2029.
Other figures, including former health secretary Wes Streeting, are also seen as potential contenders in any future leadership race.
Starmer has said he intends to remain in post and contest any challenge, insisting he has “always battled against the odds” in rebuilding the party from its 2019 defeat to electoral victory in 2024.
Vote counting in Makerfield is expected to conclude in the early hours of Friday, with the outcome likely to have implications far beyond the constituency and into the future direction of the Labour Party.
World Cup action delivered impressive wins and late drama on 18-19 June. Mexico booked their place in the knockout stage as Group A winners, while J...
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has postponed a planned trip to Switzerland for Iran talks, as the White House said negotiations remain unpredictable. Me...
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has said he is severing “all contact” with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, following remarks...
Ukraine and Germany have signed an agreement to strengthen anti-ballistic capabilities, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday,...
European Union leaders agreed on Thursday to extend sanctions against Russia over its ongoing war in Ukraine for a further 12 months, marking the firs...
World Cup action delivered impressive wins and late drama on 18-19 June. Mexico booked their place in the knockout stage as Group A winners, while Jonathan David's hat-trick inspired Canada to a 6-0 thrashing of Qatar.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has postponed a planned trip to Switzerland for Iran talks, as the White House said negotiations remain unpredictable. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump faces rare Republican criticism over the interim Iran deal, calling it “the worst foreign policy blunder in decades”.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has said he is severing “all contact” with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, following remarks attributed to her that reportedly compared Israel’s policies toward Palestinians to apartheid-era South Africa.
Ukraine and Germany have signed an agreement to strengthen anti-ballistic capabilities, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday, as Kyiv continues to push for deeper Western support in countering Russian missile attacks.
Donald Trump has said the U.S. will resume bombing Iran if Tehran doesn't "behave," at the sidelines of the G7 summit in France. Earlier, the U.S. President criticised Israel for its tactics against Hezbollah, saying it was unnecessary to bomb entire apartment buildings to tackle militants.
U.S. President Donald Trump sought a deal with Iran "out of deperation," Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has said, in a statment on social media. Khamenei added that he himself "held a different view," to Trump, but allowed the agreement after receiving assurances from Iran's President.
Britain has announced an additional £8 million ($11 million) to help Pakistan combat illegal migration, human trafficking and organised crime, while praising Islamabad's role in diplomacy that helped secure the recent U.S.-Iran agreement.
Lionel Messi matched the all-time World Cup scoring record as Argentina began their title defence with a 3-0 win over Algeria. Austria, France and Norway also secured opening victories in Group J and Group I matches on Tuesday.
Caleb Yirenkyi’s stoppage-time goal secured a 1-0 win for Ghana over Panama as World Cup action delivered a mix of late drama and key results. Colombia and England also began their campaigns with victories, while DR Congo held Portugal in a historic 1-1 draw and Austria beat Jordan 3-1.
European Union leaders agreed on Thursday to extend sanctions against Russia over its ongoing war in Ukraine for a further 12 months, marking the first time the restrictive measures have been renewed on an annual basis rather than the previous six-month cycle.
A New Mexico legislative commission investigating the handling of cases linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has subpoenaed multiple U.S. Attorney’s offices. The subpoena is a part of an inquiry into whether prosecutors failed to pursue charges despite evidence of alleged abuse.
Ukraine and Germany have signed an agreement to strengthen anti-ballistic capabilities, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday, as Kyiv continues to push for deeper Western support in countering Russian missile attacks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced $107 million in emergency funding to help contain an expanding outbreak of Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, warning it could become one of the worst on record.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has said he is severing “all contact” with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, following remarks attributed to her that reportedly compared Israel’s policies toward Palestinians to apartheid-era South Africa.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment