Andy Burnham's all-in gamble puts him in pole position to challenge Keir Starmer
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, is positioning himself as a potential successor to Prime Minister Keir Starmer amid a political crisis. He has confirmed his intention to run in the upcoming Makerfield by-election following the resignation of Labour MP Josh Simons. Burnham previously attempted to secure a parliamentary seat but was blocked by Starmer and the Labour Party's governing body.
- ▪Andy Burnham is the mayor of Greater Manchester and an undeclared candidate to replace Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
- ▪He confirmed his candidacy for the Makerfield by-election after Labour MP Josh Simons announced his resignation.
- ▪Burnham's previous attempt to run for a parliamentary seat was vetoed by Starmer and rejected by the Labour Party's National Executive Committee.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, in London, March 31, 2026. THOMAS KRYCH/ZUMA/SIPA In the middle of a political crisis, a path to power has finally opened for Andy Burnham, the ambitious mayor of Greater Manchester, an undeclared candidate to replace British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has been pushed toward the exit by a faction of his own MPs. The 56-year-old former health minister under Gordon Brown, who left the House of Commons in 2017 to run for local office, confirmed he would seek victory in the Makerfield by-election in the Manchester area, northwest England, after Labour MP Josh Simons announced on Thursday, May 14, that he would resign to give Burnham a chance.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Le Monde (EN).
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Le Monde (EN)
