The Greater Manchester mayor launched his by-election campaign with a pledge to change his party, as ITV News Political Correspondent Harry Horton reports
Andy Burnham has promised that a vote for him in the upcoming Makerfield by-election is a “vote to change Labour” as he launched his election campaign on Friday.
The Greater Manchester mayor said Labour “need to be better than we have been” and promised to give voters “the party back they used to know”.
Burnham is widely seen as Sir Keir Starmer’s main rival for a leadership challenge, although Burnham’s allies suggest that he may not launch a bid to lead immediately if he is successful in his attempt to return to Westminster.
Under Starmer, Labour suffered heavy losses in elections in England, Wales and Scotland earlier in May, triggering a wave of speculation around the prime minister’s position.
In an apparent criticism of Starmer’s leadership, Burnham said: “I know my own party needs to change. We need to be better than we have been.”
But when pressed by ITV News Political Correspondent Harry Horton about the government’s latest success in reducing net migration, Burnham praised the government.
He said: “It’s good to see,” and went on to say, “it’s clear that the government is moving in the direction”.
In his launch speech, Burnham stressed that there is “space to be more radical” within Labour’s 2024 manifesto, including building more council houses and rail renationalisation.
He said: “I know there’s a great resentment about inheritance tax, so actually just, you know, take that away, perhaps, and look at a care levy.”
“It’s not about asking people to pay more, it’s just people paying in the most unfair way possible at this moment in time and I think there’s a much better way of doing it,” he continued.
Burnham insisted that the voters of Makerfield would get “the party back they used to know”. He promised he was not offering “more of the same” and that, “this is a change by-election. Politics in this country, British politics, is tired.”
His speech appeared to mark his ambition to not only win the seat but also to challenge the prime minister for the leadership of the Labour Party.
Burnham’s campaign launch was attended by several Labour backbenchers and his close friend, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, as well as the party’s chief whip, Jonathan Reynolds.
Polls suggest that Andy Burnham will boost the party’s chance of holding the seat, but it could still prove a tough contest against Reform UK.
The Labour MP, Josh Simons, who stood down to allow for Burnham to run, won in 2024 by 5,399 votes, while Reform comfortably won every ward in the constituency at this month’s local elections.
The Liberal Democrats unveiled Stockport councillor Jake Austin as their candidate in the election, now confirmed for June 18.
Austin said the people of Makerfield “deserve so much more than the failing Labour government or the divisive politics of Reform UK”.
On Thursday, the Green Party announced that its candidate, Chris Kennedy, had withdrawn from the race just hours after he had been selected.
The party said Kennedy had stepped away for “personal and family reasons”, but it later emerged that he had shared posts on social media claiming an attack on Jewish ambulances in north London had been a “false flag” operation.
A Green spokesperson said Kennedy had deleted and apologised for the posts, but added the party stood by its previous statement about the reasons for his withdrawal.
Reform’s Robert Kenyon – a plumber who said he is “ready to take on the King of the North” in a reference to Burnham’s nickname – posted a video on social media with Farage travelling as a passenger in his van.
He said: “For me, Makerfield isn’t a stepping stone, it’s my home. The people here are my neighbours, friends and family.”
The current list of candidates is:
Liberal Democrats – Jake Austin
Labour – Andy Burnham
Monster Raving Loony Party – Alan ‘Howlin’ Laud Hope
Restore Britain – Rebecca Shepherd
Conservatives – Michael Winstanley
Candidates have until Tuesday, May 28 to declare.
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