Burnham signals he would run for British Labour Party leadership

Andy Burnham has opened the door to a fresh Labour leadership battle, saying he would take on Prime Minister Keir Starmer if he secures victory in the Makerfield bye-election later this month.

The Greater Manchester mayor said Labour, despite being in government, requires a fundamental reset as it struggles in the opinion polls.

Burnham made the remarks during a BBC debate alongside other candidates contesting the parliamentary seat in northern England.

Starmer, whose approval ratings rank among the weakest for a British prime minister, has insisted he intends to remain in post.

Pressed on his leadership ambitions, Burnham — who has twice before fallen short in bids to lead Labour — said he did not want to get “ahead of himself”, stressing that any challenge depends first on winning the 18 June bye-election in Makerfield.

Andy Burnham is standing in a bye-election in Makerfield in northwest England

“I can’t do anything unless I’m lucky enough to get the support of people here (in Makerfield). But if I get your support, I would seek to represent you at the highest possible level,” he said during the debate.

He added that Wes Streeting appeared to have already “launched a leadership contest”, although the former health minister has yet to do so formally.

“So if that is running, I would seek to join it. But I’d have to persuade members of the parliamentary Labour Party to do the same. So that’s the only question,” Burnham said.

A spokesperson for Starmer responded by saying he “will not walk away”.

Downing Street said the process for mounting a challenge to the Labour leader “has not been triggered” and said ministers were expected to “focus on governing”.

“The prime minister will not walk away from the mandate he was given just two years ago to build a stronger, fairer Britain.”

Additional reporting PA