General · 19 June 2026

Could Andy Burnham really be the next prime minister?

Andy Burnham returned to Parliament on Thursday after winning the Makerfield by-election with more than half the vote, clearing the biggest barrier to a Labour leadership bid. As an MP he can now challenge Keir Starmer, who has said he will stand and fight any contest rather than walk away. Burnham would still need 81 MPs to nominate him, then to win a vote of Labour members and unions before he could enter Downing Street.

By BriefTea Editorial · 19 June 2026 at 18:37

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