Burnham announced as Labour candidate in forthcoming by-election

Andy Burnham has been confirmed as Labour’s candidate for the Makerfield by-election, setting the stage for a closely watched contest with implications far beyond the constituency.

Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee is understood to have shortlisted only the Greater Manchester mayor, removing the need for a vote by local party members.

That decision tees up a battle between Mr Burnham and Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon, a local plumber who fought the seat for the party in 2024.

Mr Burnham has presented his candidacy as a bid to “change Labour”, declaring in a campaign video that Britain now needs a “new path”.

Earlier today, Mr Starmer assembled his reshaped Cabinet for the first time.

The routine Cabinet meeting was the first since Wes Streeting stepped down as health secretary last week and urged the Prime Minister to resign.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, arriving in Downing Street, quipped that it was “a nicer week than last week” as Mr Starmer sought to project stability and keep the machinery of government moving amid the upheaval at Westminster.

At the same time, Mr Burnham used a polished campaign launch video to outline his political direction, arguing that his push to win the Makerfield by-election was driven by a need to “change Labour”.

The by-election was sparked by former minister Josh Simons resigning to allow the Greater Manchester mayor to seek a return to the Commons.

Pat McFadden, a Cabinet minister and ally of Mr Starmer, told reporters: “Any unnecessary bye-election is always a risk.

“It’s the voters who have their say, but like any bye-election that is called for whatever reason, I want Labour to win.”

Reform UK is expected to make the seat a target and has already argued that the “expensive bye-election is all about (Mr Burnham’s) own personal ambition” rather than the constituency’s interests.

Mr Burnham said: “Some say this bye-election is unnecessary. I say it’s the most consequential of our lives.

“I don’t take anything for granted and I’m ready to accept the consequences of whatever choice people make.”

Laying out his broader political message, he said: “Manchesterism is the end of neoliberalism, the end of trickle-down economics that has left out places like Makerfield.

“Make no mistake, that means a new path for Britain.”

Mr Burnham has also moved to reassure voters in the Leave-backing Makerfield seat that he is not trying to take Britain back into the European Union, despite saying last year that he hoped to see that happen in his lifetime.

He has further sought to steady concerns in the bond markets by making clear he would abide by the government’s fiscal rules.

Mr Starmer, for his part, has insisted he will not name a timetable for his departure even if the mayor makes it back to Westminster.

If the Prime Minister stays in post, Mr Burnham would have to win the support of 81 Labour MPs to launch a leadership challenge, potentially paving the way for a contest with Mr Starmer among party members.

However, one of Mr Burnham’s allies indicated last night that the mayor would not be looking to force an immediate leadership battle.

Leeds MP Alex Sobel told LBC it was not his “expectation” that Mr Burnham would move straight away to trigger a contest, saying he would “come back and potentially serve in the government, try and help us turn this government round”.

Meanwhile, YouGov polling suggested Mr Burnham is the preferred choice of Labour members to lead the party, with 47% saying he would be their first pick.

By comparison, 31% named Mr Starmer as their first choice, with former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner on 8%.

Only 4% chose Mr Streeting as their first preference, while 57% said he had been wrong to resign as health secretary and 15% supported him in a head-to-head against the Prime Minister.

In a direct contest between Mr Burnham and Mr Starmer, 59% said they would back the mayor, while 37% said they would support the Prime Minister.