June 22, 2026
Four years ago Andy Burnham complained he was repeatedly denied a main-stage speaking slot at the Labour Party conference under Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership, saying it was a sign of disrespect for his then position as Greater Manchester mayor.
There was some sympathy for one of Labour's most popular politicians, but now, as he seeks to become Britain's seventh prime minister in a decade, Burnham must prove he can occupy that centre stage, win over restless voters and overcome the economic constraints that hamstrung his predecessors.
Burnham's pitch is that only he has the political charisma and the vision in Labour to connect with voters to defeat the populist anti-immigration Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, which has led in every poll since early last year.
His decisive victory in a contest for a seat in parliament last week, where Reform had recently performed strongly in local elections, has won over many Labour lawmakers after Starmer announced he would resign on Monday.
