Search

Chris Mason: Dissent fizzes again at the top of the Labour Party

election results, the Makerfield by-election campaign had put a temporary cork in the bottle

Farage blames Makerfield defeat on anti-Starmer votes

by-election, as he blamed his party's defeat on a desire among voters to eject Sir Keir Starmer from Downing Street. The Reform leader claimed frustration with the embattled prime minister had driven Andy

Streeting says he is 'full of rebellious hope' as he delivers resignation speech

election results for Labour. That included the resignation of the MP for Makerfield, Josh Simmons, in order to provide a potential path back to parliament for Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who is now contesting

Why UK’s Makerfield by-election matters far beyond one parliamentary seat

by-election happening in Makerfield? Despite winning the 2024 general election in a landslide, Labour’s popularity has tanked over the past two years as support for the far-right, anti-immigration Reform

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

by-election – described by *Sunday Times*commentator Jason Cowley as “the most consequential since the Second World War because of what’s at stake” – is by no means a foregone conclusion. It is expected

Tories pick themselves up off the floor with unexpected Scottish by-election win

by-election in Makerfield](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gy72kmg1mo) rather than those in Scotland. Where energy policy meets the cost of living, it does seem this is an issue where the Tories have the public's attention

Burnham says he would seek to enter any Labour leadership contest

Makerfield as a "stepping stone". Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has defied calls from some Labour MPs to step down after poor election results last month. No formal challenge has been launched against

Starmer can survive a leadership challenge, says attorney general

election results,](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz62dwe30wdo) leading to calls for Sir Keir to go. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting and a handful of junior ministers [quit the government in the aftermath](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgkpr6y3266o). Greater Manchester

Makerfield byelection: Burnham’s decisive win intensifies pressure on Starmer to step aside – UK politics live

by-elections… Caerphilly, Gorton and Denton, Makerfield… the tactical vote to keep Reform ‘out’ is being mobilised with significant impact. Tactical voting is cemented as a defining feature of our politics. [From](https://x.com/adampayne26/status/2067812277214957911)

Starmer says he will campaign for Burnham in Makerfield

Makerfield by-election. Sir Keir said Labour needed to "all pull together and fight" in the by-election taking place on 18 June. "I want to be part of that, of course

PM insists he will not walk away as Burnham promises to change Labour

Makerfield, Sir Keir said "I'm not going to do that" adding that the by-election is "a fight between Labour and Reform, it's a very important fight, I will be backing 100% whoever

I have a duty to stay on, says Starmer, as he justifies defence spending decisions

results at elections in May and now the resignation of Healey, previously one of Labour's most consistently loyal ministers. A leadership contest has not yet been triggered, however Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham

Personal decision for Starmer on whether to fight leadership contest, minister says

Makerfield by-election and is widely expected to launch a leadership challenge if he wins. Sir Keir would automatically be on the ballot paper if he chose to contest any leadership election, and earlier this

Does UK’s new far-right party, Restore, pose a threat to Farage’s Reform?

Makerfield, Greater Manchester, a [by-election](/news/2026/5/28/the-kingmakers-of-makerfield-english-town-braces-for-crucial-by-election) is expected to take place on June 18, following the departure of current Labour MP Josh Simons to make way for Manchester Mayor [Andy Burnham](/news/2026/5/19/king-of-the-north-who-is-andy-burnham-a-potential-uk-prime-minister) to contest

Andy Burnham wins key UK by-election, paving way to challenge Keir Starmer

by-election in northern England, paving the way for him to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the leadership of the Labour Party and the United Kingdom. Burnham handily defeated his closest challenger, Robert Kenyon

Andy Burnham to make bid to return to Commons as pressure mounts on Starmer

Makerfield. An ally of Sir Keir said: "Keir is focused on bringing the party together so it can tackle the issues facing working families." The by-election date is yet to be announced and depends

Burnham cleared to run for selection in pivotal by-election

Makerfield constituency became vacant on Thursday, when Labour MP Josh Simons said he would resign to make way for Burnham. The BBC understands the by-election is likely to take place on 18 June

UK net migration needs to fall further, says Andy Burnham

Makerfield said people on the doorstep have "raised their concerns about immigration" with him. He added the latest figures on net migration - the difference between those entering and leaving the country - show the "trend

UK and US voters are highly cynical. They express it differently.

by-election in Makerfield, England](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/06/12/uk-makerfield-election-burnham-kenyon-issues-00959685), is demanding attention. It’s not just that the special election could kick off a chain of events ending in Keir Starmer being ousted as prime minister

Chris Mason: Emphatic win leaves Starmer with big decision on leadership

result than this. He has won and won big time, taking more votes than all his rivals combined. Granted the Makerfield parliamentary seat has elected Labour MPs for yonks, but just a matter of weeks