Makerfield By-Election Triggers Labour Leadership Crisis, Starmer Resigns

"Politics isn't working" — Andy Burnham, after winning the Makerfield by-election with nearly 55% of the vote.

A by-election in the Makerfield constituency resulted in a victory for Labour candidate Andy Burnham on June 18, 2026. The result led to Prime Minister Keir Starmer's resignation as Labour Party leader on June 22, 2026, after less than two years in office. Starmer stated he will remain as caretaker prime minister until a new leader is selected. Burnham, the only declared candidate for the leadership, is expected to succeed him.

The Makerfield By-Election

Result

Andy Burnham, the incumbent Mayor of Greater Manchester, won the Makerfield by-election on June 18, 2026. He secured 54.5% to 55% of the vote from approximately 45,510 ballots cast. Burnham received nearly 25,000 votes, defeating Reform UK candidate Rob Kenyon by over 9,000 votes. Kenyon received 34.3% of the vote (15,396 votes). The Conservative Party received 997 votes (2.2%), and the Green Party received 0.7%.

Context

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Josh Simons, who stepped down to allow Burnham to stand. Makerfield is a post-industrial constituency in north-west England. It has been held by the Labour Party since 1983 and for approximately 120 years prior. The constituency has approximately 70,000 to 75,000 registered voters.

Statements

In his victory speech, Burnham stated that "politics isn't working" and described the result as a "turning point." He pledged better vocational education, jobs for young people, lower energy bills and rail fares, and an end to "trickle down economics." Burnham acknowledged that voters are "fed up" and that the Reform UK vote represents "a cry for real change."

Internal Party Pressure and Resignations

Local Election Losses

In local elections held on May 7, 2026, the Labour Party lost hundreds of council seats in England and lost control of the Welsh parliament for the first time. Reform UK and the Green Party gained seats at Labour's expense. Starmer stated he took responsibility for the results but would not resign.

Cabinet and Ministerial Resignations

Several government members resigned in the weeks following the local elections:

• Defence Secretary John Healey (June 11)
• Health Secretary Wes Streeting (May 14)
• Housing, Communities and Local Government Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh
• Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips
• Alex Davies-Jones and Zubir Ahmed

In his resignation letter, Streeting stated that Starmer would not lead Labour into the next general election and criticized a "vacuum of vision" and "drift" in direction.

Statements from Labour MPs

Over 100 Labour MPs publicly called for Starmer to resign or set a departure timetable. Some senior cabinet members, including Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, reportedly advised Starmer to step down. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stated that Burnham and Starmer would need to "have a conversation about what comes next."

Prime Minister Starmer's Resignation

Announcement

On June 22, 2026, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation as leader of the Labour Party. He made the announcement outside 10 Downing Street at approximately 9:30 AM. Starmer stated he had heard the answer from his parliamentary party regarding whether he was best placed to lead into the next general election and accepted it "with good grace." He will remain in post as caretaker prime minister until a new leader is selected to ensure an orderly handover.

Background

Starmer led Labour to a landslide victory in the July 2024 general election. His approval ratings and the party's popularity subsequently declined. He faced criticism over failure to deliver promised economic growth, repair public services, and address the cost of living crisis. Controversies included appointing Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States, which drew criticism due to Mandelson's ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The party faced competition from the Green Party and Reform UK.

Leadership Contest Rules

Under Labour Party rules, a leadership challenge requires the endorsement of 20% of Labour MPs, which is 81 out of 403 MPs. If multiple challengers meet the threshold, the decision goes to a vote by Labour Party members and affiliated trade union members. Starmer stated he would contest any leadership challenge but later resigned. Nominations for the leadership open on July 9 and close on July 16, with the winner expected by September 1.

Andy Burnham and Succession

Profile

Andy Burnham, 56, was born in northwest England and joined the Labour Party as a teenager. He attended Cambridge University and was first elected to Parliament in 2001. He served in the cabinets of Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown between 2007 and 2010, including as Health Secretary. He ran for the Labour leadership in 2010 and 2015, losing both times. He resigned from Parliament in 2017 to run for Mayor of Greater Manchester and was re-elected three times. As mayor, he brought public transport under public control (the Bee Network) and supported the Hillsborough disaster campaign for justice.

Policy Positions

Burnham has proposed greater devolution of power from central government to local authorities, including a "Number 10 North" office in Manchester to oversee regional development. He has advocated for public control of utilities, increased housing construction, better vocational education, and an end to "trickle-down economics." Specific policy details and funding sources for these proposals have not been provided. Burnham has stated he would maintain existing fiscal rules and keep Labour's 2024 manifesto pledge not to raise taxes on working people. On immigration, he supports recent tighter policies and says he would consider tougher measures to deter small boat crossings while advocating for safe legal routes for refugees.

Leadership Candidacy

Burnham confirmed his candidacy for the Labour leadership on June 22. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, a potential rival, announced he would not run and would support Burnham. Burnham was sworn in as an MP on June 22. As of June 23, he is the only declared candidate for the leadership. If unopposed, he could become prime minister by mid-July.

Meeting with Starmer

Burnham and Starmer met in London for one hour to discuss an orderly transition of power. The meeting was first reported by The Times and confirmed by aides.

Reactions

Domestic

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch challenged Burnham to clarify his defence and welfare policies. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage expressed disappointment at the by-election result and called for a general election. Some Labour lawmakers, such as London legislator Neil Coyle, expressed concern about the rapid transition toward Burnham.

International

US President Donald Trump commented on the situation, stating on Truth Social that Starmer had "failed badly" on immigration and energy policy. Trump stated he knew little about Burnham. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Starmer for his support. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Starmer's statesmanship. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that changing leaders in Britain would not be a good idea, citing experience with multiple UK prime ministers.

Market Reaction

The pound fell 0.19% against the dollar to $1.3207. Yields on 10-year UK government bonds were flat at 4.8452%.

Context

The UK is about to receive its seventh prime minister in a decade.

Burnham's rapid rise from city mayor to prime minister-designate is unusual in the Westminster system. If Burnham becomes prime minister without a formal contest, he would be the first Labour leader to succeed a sitting prime minister without a membership ballot since 2007.