London Labour MPs have rallied behind Andy Burnham after his decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election, with some openly calling for Sir Keir Starmer to stand aside as Prime Minister. Burnham is expected to return to Parliament and seek to replace Starmer.
Burnham's Landslide Win
Burnham secured a 9,231 majority, capturing 54.8% of the vote and easily defeating Reform UK's Robert Kenyon, who trailed with 34.5%. The result has sparked speculation of a potential 'coronation' for Burnham if Starmer steps down.
MPs React
Dawn Butler, MP for Brent East and chair of the London Labour MPs group, told Sky News: 'There is no point in pretending that Sir Keir can remain Prime Minister. People want a change of direction, and that is not coming from our current Prime Minister.'
John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, indicated he would back Burnham in any leadership contest, stating: 'Makerfield was a tremendous victory because it stopped Reform in its tracks. The next step is to re-establish the broad church of the Labour Party.'
Health Secretary James Murray, MP for Ealing North, congratulated Burnham on X: 'Huge congratulations to @AndyBurnhamGM - our new @UKLabour and @CoopParty MP for Makerfield - and all the campaigners who helped send Reform packing!'
Rupa Huq, MP for Ealing Central and Acton, added: 'Congratulations @andy4makerfield Andy Burnham on a stunning win and campaign that reinvigorated so many @UKLabour activists with hope and thirst for change.'
Catherine West, MP for Hornsey and Friern Barnet, who previously threatened to run as a 'stalking horse' candidate against Starmer, called the result 'a terrific result for Labour, uniting to defeat the hard right and creating a sense of hope.' She also advocated for more devolution to mayors, including Sadiq Khan.
Calls for a Contest
However, not all MPs are backing a coronation. Clive Efford, MP for Eltham and Chislehurst, argued: 'Anyone who wants to be leader should be tested. I don't hear much from the would-be leaders of what they would do differently.'
Janet Daby, MP for Lewisham East, stressed her commitment to work with whichever Labour leader is in place, while Bell Ribeiro-Addy, MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill, praised Burnham for defeating Reform and proving that 'the rightward drift is not inevitable.'
Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, called for Burnham to stand in the Manchester mayoral by-election to 'see off Reform.'
