Polls have opened in Makerfield, where voters are set to participate in what could be one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history. Andy Burnham, standing as Labour's candidate in the Greater Manchester constituency, aims to return to Parliament to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. He urged people to "vote to change politics" and vowed to take the "fight as high as I can possibly take it."
Starmer Offers Big Job, Burnham Not Interested
Sir Keir said on Wednesday he was willing to offer the Mayor of Greater Manchester a "big" job in his Government, should Mr. Burnham win when Thursday's votes are counted. However, allies of Mr. Burnham indicated he was not interested in the offer, insisting "the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government's failings."
Burnham Allies Hope for Coronation
Mr. Burnham and his allies are reported to be hoping for a "coronation" in which Sir Keir stands aside, rather than a leadership contest, which they believe would be damaging to the Labour Party's brand, according to the Times. But the Prime Minister has repeatedly made it clear he has no intention of standing down and says he will fight any challenge to his leadership.
According to the Guardian, several Cabinet ministers have had to be talked out of resigning early by Mr. Burnham's camp to prevent the Government descending into chaos ahead of the by-election. Burnham supporters within the Government had intended to quit early to pressure the Prime Minister into making way for his rival, the newspaper said.
Streeting Meets Burnham
Wes Streeting, the former health secretary who resigned to launch a prospective Labour leadership bid, is said to have met Mr. Burnham while campaigning in Makerfield on Monday, the Guardian also reported. A source told the newspaper that "no deals were done" as a result of the meeting.
Sir Keir has said he plans to call Mr. Burnham "after the weekend." But the Prime Minister may face swift pressure to accept a leadership contest or stand down, as Mr. Streeting has indicated he would be willing to trigger the race.
Burnham’s Video Message
In a video posted to X just after polls opened, soundtracked by Manchester band New Order, Mr. Burnham said: "This is a change by-election. We left Westminster 10 years ago to build something different, something better. We worked on a place-first basis, rather than party first, problem solving rather than point scoring. We've taken that fight for people here, and I'll carry that fight forward if I am lucky enough to be elected as the MP for Makerfield. I'll take that fight as high as I can possibly take it."
Reform UK and Other Competitors
Mr. Burnham's nearest competitor in Makerfield is Nigel Farage's Reform UK, which polls have suggested is losing voters to Restore Britain, a party to its right with a more hard-line approach to migration and other issues. Mr. Burnham on Wednesday urged voters not to back Reform's candidate Robert Kenyon, as he claimed the party's victory could lead to a "darker and more divided politics."
"There is a path that carries on and makes Britain look more and more like the United States of America, and we do not, in my view, want to end up there, where people can't talk to each other in the street. That's not the Britain I know, and the Britain that I love, and that's not the path that we should be taking," Mr. Burnham said.
Other By-Elections
Makerfield is one of three parliamentary by-elections taking place on Thursday. The other two are in the Scottish seats of Aberdeen South, and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, where SNP MPs Stephen Gethins and Stephen Flynn have stood down after winning elections to the Scottish Parliament in May.
