‘Starmer is doing nothing, but Burnham is for the people’: Makerfield voters pin their hopes on the ‘King of the North’
Voters in Makerfield express dissatisfaction with Keir Starmer's leadership, with some indicating they would return to Labour if Andy Burnham became their MP. Burnham, currently the Mayor of Greater Manchester, is set to stand in a forthcoming by-election in the constituency. His popularity in the North has fueled speculation he may challenge Starmer for the Labour leadership.
- ▪Andy Burnham plans to stand as MP for Makerfield in a by-election, potentially challenging Keir Starmer for Labour leadership.
- ▪Makerfield voters, disillusioned with Starmer, say they would support Labour again if Burnham were their candidate.
- ▪Reform UK won 24 of 25 seats on Wigan Council in local elections, including all ten wards partly or fully within Makerfield.
- ▪Joan Preston, a former lifelong Labour voter, said Burnham is 'for the working people' and would win her support.
- ▪Labour lost nearly 1,500 council seats nationwide, intensifying internal party tensions and leadership scrutiny.
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NewsUKUK PoliticsOn the ground‘Starmer is doing nothing, but Burnham is for the people’: Makerfield voters pin their hopes on the ‘King of the North’Andy Burnham intends to stand to be the next MP for Makerfield, but would its voters welcome the ‘King of the North’? Dan Haygarth finds outSaturday 16 May 2026 08:44 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2977407","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/burnham-starmer-makerfield-reform-labour-leadership-b2977407.html","title":"Does the ‘King of the North’ have what it takes…
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