Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting has thrown his support behind Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election, campaigning in the North West constituency on Monday. The Ilford North MP praised the campaign run by Burnham, the Greater Manchester Mayor, who is widely expected to win the seat on Thursday.
Streeting, who resigned from the government with criticism of Sir Keir Starmer, is among several Labour figures backing Burnham, despite Burnham's potential leadership ambitions. The by-election has fuelled speculation that Burnham could mount a challenge to Starmer if he returns to the Commons.
Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon is seen as the main rival, but Nigel Farage's comments about a “two-tier state against white people” drew condemnation from Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. She urged Farage to take “his nasty hate and anger somewhere else”.
Burnham has been honest with voters about his party's performance, saying “my own side’s not good enough” and promising change. He remains coy on leadership intentions but acknowledged the constituency could “write a new script for British politics”.
Starmer has vowed to fight any challenge, insisting he has a mandate from the 2024 election. However, recent resignations and poor local election results have intensified pressure on his leadership.
