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In Britain, Brexit is debated again as Starmer’s grip on power slips

Labour Party’s membership is overwhelmingly pro-EU. At the opposite end of the spectrum is Reform UK, the hard-right party predicted to win a general election if one were to be held soon

Tony Blair’s essay on Labour failings gets full marks for being unhelpful

Labour’s destiny for years to come. And it has already annoyed people. “He is becoming less and less relevant,” was one of the more polite responses about a man who left frontline politics nearly

Plaid Cymru leader says he hopes to be made first minister as early as Tuesday

party leaders except Nigel Farage who, he said, “didn’t feel he wanted to speak with me”. Labour was left with just nine seats in the Senedd, ending 100 years of dominance in Wales

Labour MPs have put Starmer on notice after election battering. Can he turn it around?

Andy Burnham this weekend. He isn't even an MP, and after Labour took a pasting across his backyard in the North West, perhaps it looks harder for him this weekend too. I also

Analysis: Many Labour MPs are blaming the boss for elections body blow

Andy Burnham can get back to Westminster and challenge for the leadership. What we have seen during the course of the day is a concerted attempt to put pressure on the PM from some

UK’s Keir Starmer faces likely challenge following Labour’s election defeat

Labour MPs. Likely challengers to the leadership include Health Secretary Wes Streeting, former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. Starmer’s government has been in power since 2024, when

Burnham cleared to run for selection in pivotal by-election

Andy Burnham has been cleared to seek selection as Labour's candidate in a by-election which could pave the way for him to return to Westminster. The mayor has been given the go-ahead

Greens suggest they will properly contest byelection in blow for Burnham

Andy Burnham’s potential route back to parliament against what is expected to be a strong Reform UK challenge. A statement from the Greens said candidate selection was in process, and that the party

Labour leadership jostling puts Brexit back under political spotlight

Andy Burnham's position on the issue under the spotlight. On Saturday the Greater Manchester mayor was out canvassing for votes in the Makerfield constituency. He hopes to be the Labour candidate in the coming

Cost of living and high streets among top priorities for Makerfield voters, poll shows

Andy Burnham, is hoping to see off a challenge from Reform UK. It polled 112 Makerfield residents, who were asked six open-ended questions, which included their views on areas and changes they wanted

Lib Dems can deliver actual savings, Makerfield candidate says

Andy Burnham widely expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership if he is successful in the Makerfield by-election, Austin said he was "frustrated" and added that both Labour and Reform

Cabinet ministers warn mutinous MPs over ousting Keir Starmer

party into the next election. “When your personal brand is so poor, it is seldom retrievable,” one added. Labour faces losing more than 1,500 council seats across England, a struggle for second place

Illegal dump becomes ‘symbol of north-south divide’ at heart of Makerfield byelection

Andy Burnham](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/andyburnham), who hopes to retain the seat for Labour and fight off Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon in the byelection on 18 June, is keenly aware of the impact

Keir Starmer vows to prove doubters wrong in make-or-break leadership speech

party of power, not protest.” Labour MPs have said they believe the health secretary, Wes Streeting, could imminently launch a leadership challenge. Allies of Streeting have [denied he will move against the prime minister

Keir Starmer makes late pitch to voters turning to Greens and Reform

Labour’s Anas Sarwar [who did so in February](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/09/scottish-labour-leader-anas-sarwar-keir-starmer-to-stand-down). MPs hoping to see a change of leadership believe that regional mayors and council leaders – among them Greater Manchester’s [Andy Burnham

In Nigel Farage’s shoes, a less experienced politician might panic

party’s results are more mixed. Yes, Robert Kenyon [came second in Makerfield](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/19/andy-burnham-wins-makerfield-byelection-paving-way-labour-leadership-challenge) to a popular regional mayor backed by a Labour campaign so relentless that the main risk [was annoying voters

‘There’s a risk of another Liz Truss moment’: City raises spectre of bond market meltdown again

Labour ranks many MPs are sanguine, reflecting frustration at a tight approach to tax and spending under Starmer, despite the party’s plunging poll ratings and [dire showing in elections across Britain last week

Historic by-election win sends message to Labour and SNP - Badenoch

party. She also praised the positivity of Lumsden's campaign and said the result had national significance. Badenoch said the media had focused on the Makerfield by-election where Manchester Mayor [Andy Burnham

Where does Starmer’s leadership stand – and who are his potential challengers?

Andy Burnham done a deal with to get back to Westminster, and would MPs support him if he did? Why has [Wes Streeting](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/wes-streeting) gone so quiet? To the frustration of many

Catherine West backs down from Starmer challenge but urges him to go by September

Labour rules, at least 81 MPs, or 20% of the total parliamentary party, need to back a challenge for one to happen. This means that West’s plan to gather names calling for a future