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Most Labour members think Starmer cannot revive party fortunes, poll finds

Andy Burnham, was the first preference for 42% of members, who were asked to rank their preferred successor. Several Labour MPs – especially those who are close to Burnham – have told the Guardian that they would

Starmer to promise bolder action as leadership threats mount

Andy Burnham is also seen as a potential leadership rival, although a speedy contest would hamper his chances because he would first need to become an MP to stand as a candidate. Monday's address

Burnham: 'People in Britain can't afford a good life'

chance to rejoin the Parliamentary party. - [**LIVE: Makerfield by-election interview with Labour's Andy Burnham**](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cq6pv7e66m2t#player) Burnham is widely expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership

Andy Burnham: 'King of the North' with eyes on the top job

Andy Burnham is no stranger to Labour leadership contests. More than 10 years ago he ran twice, unsuccessfully, for the top job. Now he's backed by many Labour MPs as the party's best

Cabinet split as Mahmood calls on Starmer to set out timetable to go

Andy Burnham. Calls have also come from the right of the party, including those close to Streeting, for a swifter departure, which would exclude the chance of Burnham standing for the leadership. Pressure has been

Starmer insists he won’t quit as PM, as former minister Catherine West seeks to trigger Labour leadership contest – UK politics live

chance to show that he can turn things round. But mostly the Labour MPs speaking out are on the soft left of the party and believe Andy Burnham would be the best replacement. They want

How would a Labour leadership contest work?

Andy Burnham** Although he has made little secret of his leadership ambitions, Burnham cannot enter a contest without first becoming an MP. He was blocked from doing so earlier this year by the NEC. Refusing

UK ex-health minister says will run to replace Prime Minister Keir Starmer

leadership. A day later, Streeting threw his weight behind Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who is seen as a top contender to replace Starmer as the Labour leader to lead the country. “We need

Another crunch moment for Starmer as he pleads with Labour MPs not to topple him

leadership contest. Then there are those who would like Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham to be Labour's next leader and so don't want a contest right now – because he needs time

‘Why are we even doing this?’ The week that left Britain’s PM looking like an interim leader

leadership challenge, Andy Burnham is seen as the successor apparent. But the Greater Manchester mayor is not yet in parliament and will first have to win a byelection in Makerfield, a constituency on the edge

‘No other plan comes close’: Labour MPs turn to Burnham as pressure mounts on Starmer

Andy’s standing among Labour MPs is extremely strong. There is a clear view that bringing him into our Westminster team would boost our chances of defeating Reform and preventing Nigel Farage from entering Downing

Josh Simons stood down for Burnham as Labour was 'imploding'

Andy Burnham a chance to challenge the prime minister has said it "was too big an opportunity to miss". Josh Simons, the Makerfield Labour MP, told BBC Radio Manchester the Labour Party had been "imploding

Prospect of Labour leadership race brings out different sides of rivals

Andy Burnham](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/andyburnham), the party’s leftwing hope for prime minister, will have to demonstrate he can win over Reform UK voters on migration, and the bond markets on fiscal rules. And there

How Rayner, Streeting and Burnham weakened PM in 12 hours of political drama

chance for Andy to come home," a friend said. Burnham lives in the area and his kids went to school locally. Simons, a father-of-three, is considered furiously bright but resigned as a minister

Britain faces weeks of leadership limbo in slow-motion coup against Starmer

chance. The following day, Labour’s NEC [gave permission](/news/2026/5/15/pressure-mounts-on-embattled-uk-pm-keir-starmer-as-rivals-circle) for Burnham to stand for the seat, in another sign that Starmer’s authority over the party is waning, according to British media

What does Makerfield make of by-election and can Burnham win?

chance" in the Makerfield by-election "if it were anyone other than Andy Burnham" as a candidate. He added: "If [Burnham] manages to win this, he will certainly be demonstrating his ability to win constituencies

Is Starmer's leadership under serious threat?

leadership needs to change. For a challenge to get off the ground, 20% of Labour MPs, 81 people, have to back it. West says she currently has 10 supporters and so is a long

Labour’s better than expected thrashing may allow Starmer to cling on in No 10

Labour will lose the Welsh Senedd to Plaid Cymru, and even potentially come third behind the Scottish National party and Reform [in Scotland](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2026/may/07/local-elections-2026-may-full-results-england-scotland-wales), has already been priced in. Starmer will

Angela Rayner cleared by HMRC over tax affairs paving the way for potential leadership bid

Labour to find a candidate to oppose him, with Ed Miliband and Rayner both possible contenders, while Andy Burnham is unable to run from outside parliament. Rayner suggested she could enter any leadership contest, should

‘An hour of abuse thrown at me’: Jeremy Corbyn on being the target of a Labour coup

leadership bid. The former deputy prime minister [Angela Rayner](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/angela-rayner) has told the world in a timely manner that she has been cleared of wrongdoing in relation to her underpayment