Can Andy Burnham offer Labour a new destiny?

Can Andy Burnham offer Labour a new destiny? Submitted by Tom Blackburn on Wed, 06/10/2026 - 14:57 The mayor of Greater Manchester and potential UK prime minister has more charisma than Keir Starmer, but critics lament he's a political weather vane Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham at the launch of his by-election campaign in Ashton-in-Makerfield, north-west England, 22 May 2026 (Paul Ellis/AFP) Off The impending by-election in Makerfield , in the north of the UK , is clearly of much more than mere local significance. Should Andy Burnham retain the seat for Labour on 18 June , he is likely to launch a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer in fairly short order; last month’s atrocious local election results and growing discontent with Starmer’s leadership of both the party and the country have left him in a very vulnerable position.