Andy Burnham is outlining his campaign to become the next Member of Parliament for Makerfield in Greater Manchester, as he seeks to return to Parliament and potentially vie for the position of Prime Minister.
The Mayor of Manchester is launching his official campaign for the upcoming by-election today after being confirmed as the Labour candidate for the crucial June 18 contest.
Seen as a strategic move towards challenging Keir Starmer for leadership, Burnham’s journey back to the Commons has garnered support from the Prime Minister, who will join the campaign trail backing Burnham.
Facing off against Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon, a local plumber who previously ran for the party in 2024, Burnham is gearing up for a competitive race in the by-election.
Notably, prominent figures attending Burnham’s campaign launch include Labour MPs Jonathan Reynolds, Kim Johnson, Barry Gardiner, Ian Byrne, Chris Webb, and Rebecca Long-Bailey, along with Liverpool metro mayor Steve Rotheram and Welsh Labour’s interim leader Ken Skates.
With the by-election approaching on June 18, Burnham is poised to present his platform to the residents of Makerfield in the coming days. Additionally, the Green Party is in the process of selecting a new candidate after Chris Kennedy withdrew from the race shortly after being announced.
As election fever intensifies, campaign posters adorn the windows of the Stubshaw Cross Community and Sports Club in Ashton-in-Makerfield, setting the stage for a dynamic political showdown in the region.