Andy Burnham has officially launched his campaign to become prime minister, confirming he will challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership if he secures victory in the Makerfield by-election. During a BBC Question Time special in the constituency, the Greater Manchester mayor told the audience that former health secretary Wes Streeting "seems to have launched a leadership contest, so if that is running, I would seek to join it."
Downing Street Response
Number 10 swiftly responded, stating that the process for challenging the Labour leader "has not been triggered" and that Sir Keir "will not walk away." The prime minister's office made clear their position following Burnham's announcement.
Polling Boost for Burnham
Mr Burnham's hopes of winning the seat, a prerequisite for his leadership ambitions, received a significant boost. The second poll of the campaign placed him at 49 percent, up six points, while his Reform UK opponent Robert Kenyon slipped one point to 39 percent. Despite his popularity in Greater Manchester, where he serves as mayor, Burnham faces a tough contest in Makerfield, a constituency that voted for Brexit in 2016 and where Reform performed strongly in last month's local elections.
Knife Law Review Suggestion
In the wake of Nigel Farage's call for "fury" over the death of Henry Nowak, Burnham sidestepped questions about two-tier policing, instead highlighting his relationship with Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson. He backed Watson's aim to ensure "the police were seen as neutral, serving all communities." Burnham also suggested reviewing the law after a teenager was stabbed to death by a man who claimed he was carrying a knife for religious reasons as a Sikh. Asked about banning knives for religious purposes, Burnham said: "I think there's a case to look at that again. Although it needs a very careful debate."
Anti-Racism Guidance Criticism
Following the National Police Chiefs' Council's announcement of a review into guidance advising different treatment of ethnic minorities for better outcomes, Burnham warned that anti-racism guidance has not "got it right." He stated: "I think it's right that the government are reviewing this, because I don't think this guidance that was issued related to the police race action plan has got it right."
Reform Candidate Faces Audience Scrutiny
Robert Kenyon, appearing on the same programme, refused to accept being labelled as sexist, despite facing criticism over past social media comments on Brexit and abortion. One audience member told him: "I'd rather have a career politician than a plumber who is a sexist," referencing Kenyon's profession. Kenyon insisted he would not "accept that label, I mean a lot of the things have been said 15 years ago. I hold my hands up, I've made mistakes. I was brought up by women. I've got nothing but respect for women." However, he refused to apologise to Carol Vorderman when challenged. Posts from a now-deleted X account between 2020 and 2022, shared by campaigners Hope Not Hate, included offensive comments about women, pandemic misinformation, and engagement with a Holocaust denier. One post shared a sexually explicit message sent to Vorderman on her birthday. Kenyon claimed he "never actually said anything to Carol. I commented on a comment," describing it as a "disgusting comment that somebody else had written" and a "crass joke" that he would not repeat now.
By-Election Polling Details
The Survation poll, with a sample size of 518, showed Rebecca Shepherd of Restore Britain on 8 percent and Sarah Wakefield of the Green Party on 2 percent, while the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives each polled at 1 percent.
