‘Astonishing’ win for Andy Burnham puts pressure on Starmer to step aside

Published June 19, 2026 · Category: News

Overview

Size of victory in Makerfield byelection has many allies hoping former Manchester mayor will be installed in No 10 within days

Speaking hours before polls closed in Makerfield, a Downing Street source acknowledged a rare moment of doubt about the prime minister’s future. “Keir will fight on,” the source said, repeating the message to which Starmer has stuck for several weeks. “Although, that might depend on the size of the majority.”

Details

In the end, Andy Burnham’s majority was so convincing that allies hope he can be installed in No 10 within days. Louise Haigh, the Labour MP who helped run Burnham’s campaign, said on Thursday night: “I hope that [Starmer] will consider an orderly and managed transition.

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Source

Originally published at www.theguardian.com.

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