Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe Makerfield by-election is deemed the most significant in decades, potentially determining the next Prime Minister. Labour candidate Andy Burnham is widely anticipated to win the by-election, scheduled for Thursday. Impatient Labour MPs are pressing Burnham to launch a leadership bid against Sir Keir Starmer swiftly if he secures his return to Westminster. Despite Sir Keir Starmer offering him a government role, sources close to Burnham suggest he will decline, indicating his readiness to challenge for the leadership. Polling data predicts a comfortable victory for Burnham, with a Labour defeat, especially to Reform, being viewed as catastrophic for the party and Sir Keir's leadership. In fullLabour MPs urge Burnham not to delay challenge to Starmer if he wins Makerfield by-electionThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Labour MPs press Burnham to launch leadership bid if successful in Makerfield
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe Makerfield by-election is deemed the most significant in decades, potentially determining the next Prime Minister. Labour candidate Andy Burnham is widely anticipated to win the by-election, scheduled for Thursday. Impatient Labour MPs are pressing Burnham to launch a leadership bid against Sir Keir Starmer swiftly if he secures his return to Westminster. Despite Sir Keir Starmer offering him a government role, sources close to Burnham suggest he will decline, indicating his readiness to challenge for the leadership. Polling data predicts a comfortable victory for Burnham, with a Labour defeat, especially to Reform, being viewed as catastrophic for the party and Sir Keir's leadership. In fullLabour MPs urge Burnham not to delay challenge to Starmer if he wins Makerfield by-electionThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
