As an official leadership challenge almost certainly looms for Sir Keir Starmer, the public in the North East has shared their thoughts on the prospect of an Andy Burnham premiership. The Greater Manchester mayor's decisive win in the Makerfield by-election has intensified calls for a change at the top of the Labour Party.
By-Election Victory
Andy Burnham MP secured nearly 55% of the vote in the Makerfield by-election, a commanding performance that defied national trends where Labour suffered significant losses in last month's local elections. The victory has piled pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to step aside, with widespread expectations that a Labour leadership contest will soon be triggered.
Public Reaction in Newcastle
The Local Democracy Reporting Service canvassed opinions on the streets of Newcastle on Friday, asking Geordies whether they want Mr. Burnham to take power in Downing Street. Responses ranged from hopes that the new MP would “smash it” to political apathy, and even predictions that he would “not going to do owt.”
Sharon Bennett, 56, from Northumberland, said: “I absolutely think he should. I have only been back in the country for a year-and-a-half from Australia and I am shocked by the changes over the 17 years I have been abroad. Homelessness, finances, how expensive everything has got. I know they [Labour] inherited a lot of issues from the Conservatives but something needs to change. Now I don’t know a great deal about him, but I have heard good things.”
On a 58% turnout of over 77,000 eligible voters, Burnham romped to victory with a majority of 9,200 ballots. This marked a 10% increase on Labour’s hold on the seat since the last general election in 2024.
Political Context
On June 17, prior to polling day, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warned Burnham against launching an immediate leadership bid. However, at the G7 summit in France, the PM stated: “I hope he wins the by-election and he will play a big part in the Labour government.”
Carol Moody, 73, from Killingworth, added: “I think he [Burnham] is great because he will stand up and say exactly what he thinks. He is a lad local to the area and he did well to get 55%. I think he will smash it, he is not going to put up with any nonsense. I feel a bit sorry for Starmer, when he got in he said it would be hard in the beginning and it has been hard but I think he had made some bad mistakes, so let’s give someone else a go.”
Sir Keir has faced a series of political backlashes in his under two years since entering Downing Street. The U-turn on the winter fuel allowance, the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the US, and more recently the government’s defence spending have all proved politically controversial for the incumbent PM.
Skepticism and Apathy
Newcastle local Joseph Ash, 82, was skeptical: “After what he did in Manchester, they’re expecting him to do wonders now.” Mr. Ash went on to say that even if Andy Burnham takes the top job, “Farage is going to be the next PM.” He added: “Farage is the guy to shake them up. This guy, [Burnham] is not going to do owt.”
Seventy-five-year-old Tom Moss, a retired Royal Navy member from County Durham, said: “I want a better defence budget but they have done so much that there’s nothing left but give someone else a go. But the backbenchers control everything anyway.”
Dave Paxton, 68, a retired Newcastle City Council worker, added: “Burnham gave up the job in Manchester and let them down to go sit on the fence somewhere else. He doesn’t know about the place, and now he is about to do the same for the people in Makerfield and forget them.”
