Andy Burnham has declared that British politics is "tired" and "needs a new script" as he launched his campaign for the Makerfield by-election, urging voters that backing him is "a vote to change Labour." The Greater Manchester Mayor, who has long harboured leadership ambitions, kicked off his bid to become MP for Makerfield on Friday with a thinly veiled pitch for the keys to Downing Street.
By-Election Campaign Launch
Speaking at an event in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Mr Burnham addressed Labour MPs and activists, stating: "This is a change by-election. Politics in this country, British politics, is tired. It needs a new script and over the next four weeks the people of Makerfield are going to write that script, and it's great that they're going to get that chance." He added: "I know my own party needs to change. We need to be better than we have been. A vote for me in this by-election is a vote to change Labour."
While pledging to stick to Labour's manifesto commitments, Mr Burnham indicated there was room to be "more radical" within its confines. He dismissed calls for a wealth tax from potential leadership rival Wes Streeting but suggested landowners should pay more and called for council tax reform. He also reiterated his previous support for scrapping inheritance tax in favour of a social care levy.
Leadership Aspirations
Mr Burnham is widely expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership if he secures victory in the by-election on June 18. His allies have suggested he may not act immediately upon returning to Westminster, but he is seen as a major potential rival to the Prime Minister. Insisting the contest was not simply a stepping stone to power, he told supporters: "I live here. I have lived here for 25 years. My home is two miles over there. I love this place. I love the people of this place, but what I have inside is a burning sense of injustice that the proud communities of this place face a Westminster system that puts them at the bottom of the list."
Policy Stances
After the launch, Mr Burnham addressed national issues including immigration, electoral reform, and taxation. He distanced himself from Wes Streeting's call for a wealth tax, backing Labour's commitment not to raise VAT, national insurance, or income tax. Instead, he called for council tax reform and suggested lower business rates for hospitality businesses that revitalise high streets, as well as higher taxes on landowners.
A long-time supporter of electoral reform, Mr Burnham said Labour's next manifesto should commit to introducing proportional representation but ruled out changing the system before the next election. He argued there was "space to be more radical" within the 2024 manifesto, including building more council houses and rail renationalisation.
On immigration, Mr Burnham broadly supported Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's hardline reforms, which have alarmed some Labour MPs. He said: "We'll have to work hard to get the balance right, but the broad thrust of what she's doing is right." He argued that net migration needed to fall further, noting that immigration was raised with him on the doorstep. Latest figures show a 48% drop in net migration over the last 12 months, the lowest since 2012 excluding pandemic years.
Competition from Reform
Mr Burnham faces stiff competition from Reform UK, which secured 50% of the vote in wards up for grabs in the May local elections, compared to Labour's 23%. The by-election is seen as a critical test for Labour in a traditionally safe seat.
