Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has confirmed he will seek selection for the Makerfield parliamentary seat, positioning himself as a potential successor to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The announcement follows calls from nearly 100 Labour MPs for a new leader, with former Health Secretary Wes Streeting backing Burnham's bid, saying he has the 'best chance of winning' the upcoming by-election.
Burnham, 56, described as the 'King of the North', stated that 'much bigger change is needed at a national level if everyday life is to be made more affordable again'. His move was prompted by former Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons, who relinquished his Makerfield seat to make way for Burnham, hailing him as the right man to 'drive the change our country is crying out for'.
Born in Liverpool to a BT engineer father and a GP receptionist mother, Burnham grew up in Culcheth, Cheshire. He attended St Lewis Catholic Primary School and St Aelred's Roman Catholic High School. An ardent Everton FC supporter, he also showed promise as a bowler for Lancashire Schoolboys. His father Roy once said his son was 'destined for better things'.
Burnham joined the Labour Party at age 14 after watching BBC drama 'Boys From The Blackstuff'. A straight-A student, he studied at Cambridge University, where he met his wife, Marie-France van Heel, known as Frankie. Early in their relationship, Frankie appeared on the TV show 'Blind Date' with Burnham's permission, but she did not hit it off with her date.
Burnham has previously run for Labour leader, and his return to Westminster is seen as a challenge to Starmer's leadership amid growing discontent within the party.
