Britain is holding a key local election on Thursday that could trigger the endgame for Labour leader Keir Starmer 's beleaguered premiership, or win him a reprieve.
Labour party veteran and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is looking to win the parliamentary by-election for the Makerfield constituency in northwestern England, so that he can then try to replace Starmer as prime minister.
Polling stations opened at 7am (0600 GMT). They will close at 10pm, with counting due to begin straight away.
Pollsters expect Burnham to win the historic contest, but he faces a tough fight from the hard-right Reform UK party.
"Almost undoubtedly it's in the hands of the voters of Makerfield as to whether or not Burnham becomes prime minister," political scientist John Curtice.
"If Burnham does win, his path to 10 Downing Street looks to be relatively assured. If they deny him the opportunity, it may be that Starmer will survive, at least for the time being," he said.
UK Labour's 'most popular politician' Andy Burnham launches high-risk leadership bid
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Starmer, in power since July 2024, has been clinging to power by his fingernails since Labour suffered a drubbing in local and regional elections last month.
He has been rocked by several policy U-turns and a scandal over his appointment of ex-Jeffrey Epstein associate Peter Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to Washington.
The 63-year-old prime minister has endured several ministerial resignations and rock-bottom personal poll ratings, with Reform leading national surveys for over a year.
But Starmer, an ex-lawyer who has refused to quit, insists his landslide election victory over the Conservatives 21 months ago gives him a five-year mandate to govern.
'King of the North'
Impatience within the centre-left Labour party ramped up in May when Labour MP Josh Simons announced he would stand down so Burnham could try to return to parliament and run for leader.
While Makerfield's 76,000 electorate typically votes Labour, Simons won a majority of only around 5,300 at the 2024 general election.
Reform, led by anti-immigrant firebrand Nigel Farage, also won every council ward in the predominantly white, working-class area during last month's council polls.
But the personal popularity of Burnham – a three-term mayor of Greater Manchester nicknamed the "King of the North" – is likely to see him triumph over Reform candidate Robert Kenyon, polls predict.
Makerfield: the local election that could change the UK
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Local plumber Kenyon has also been dogged by offensive remarks he previously made about women, while the far-right fringe Restore Britain party is expected to split the hard-right vote.
In Ashton-in-Makerfield, 61-year-old Hazel Ellis told AFP she planned to vote for Reform.
"I'm willing to give them a go because this is the last hope for Britain now," she said.
Coronation?
In nearby Bryn, twenty-three-year-old Finn Knowles told AFP Burnham was "a better option" than Starmer.
"He doesn't really know what he wants to do," the pub worker said of the prime minister.
Burnham, who polls show is Labour's most popular politician, hails from the party's so-called soft-left wing and has been an outspoken critic of Starmer's more-centrist rule.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on his rival Andy Burnham not to launch an immediate leadership challenge. © Isabel Infantes, AFP
Under Labour party rules, leadership candidates must be an MP, which Burnham was between 2001 and 2017.
He would easily muster the support of 81 of Labour's 400-plus MPs needed to launch a contest, which Starmer has vowed to fight.
Burnham allies are hopeful Starmer's top ministerial team could persuade him to lay out a timetable for his departure instead, avoiding a bitter contest.
On Wednesday, the prime minister tried to ward off the expected challenge by insisting he wants Burnham to play "a big role" in his government.
If Burnham wins in Makerfield, it is unclear when he would make his move against Starmer, particularly when a tricky defence of his vacated mayoral seat would loom for Labour.
Read more Who are possible contenders in the UK Labour Party leadership race?
Ex-health minister Wes Streeting, also manoeuvring for the top job , said Tuesday the prime minister should be given "space over the weekend" to consider his future.
Streeting, from Labour's right wing, has vowed to challenge Starmer if Burnham lo…
Read the full article at France 24 (English) →📄Source document: Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer attends meeting at Downing Street in London on May 5, 2026
9 reports
France 24 (English)State / PublicCenter2 days agoThe article discusses the potential for political instability in the UK as Labour leader Keir Starmer indicates he would consider running in any leadership contest, potentially leading to internal party conflicts.
Bias read (Center): The article presents Starmer's statement without overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It frames the situation as a potential source of political drama but does not take a clear stance on whether Starmer's actions are positive or negative.
Official sources cited
- press release Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer attends meeting at Downing Street in London on May 5, 2026
France 24 (English)State / PublicCenter2 days ago What to know about Keir Starmer's successful rival, newly-elected Andy BurnhamThe article discusses Andy Burnham, who has been elected as a prominent figure within the UK Labour Party, following his success in the Makerfield by-election. It highlights his role as a rival to Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about Andy Burnham's election and his position within the Labour Party without overtly favoring either him or Keir Starmer. The framing remains neutral, focusing on the event itself rather than taking a stance on either individual.
France 24 (English)State / PublicCenter2 days ago Labour hopes for 'smooth transition' as Starmer rival wins critical electionThe article discusses the UK Labour Party's internal dynamics following an election where a rival to leader Keir Starmer has won a key contest, potentially affecting the party's leadership transition.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the situation factually without overtly favoring any side. It mentions the Labour Party's hope for a smooth transition and notes that a rival to Starmer has won an important election, but does not use biased language or selectively present information to support one perspective.
Le FigaroIndependent🔒Center2 days agoKeir Starmer, the UK prime minister, congratulated his rival Andy Burnham on his election as a Labour Party MP in the Makerfield constituency. Burnham won with 54.8% of the vote, defeating Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon, who represents Nigel Farage's anti-immigration party.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on an election result and quotes a political figure's public statement without overtly favoring any side. The framing remains neutral, focusing on the outcome and the candidates involved.
Le FigaroIndependent🔒Left2 days ago Andy Burnham, the "King of the North" who wants to dethrone Keir Starmer and take over Downing Street.The article discusses Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester and a Labour Party candidate, who has won a by-election in Makerfield. This victory positions him as a potential challenger to current Prime Minister Keir Starmer within the Labour Party. The article notes Burnham's previous attempts at leading the Labour Party, which were unsuccessful in 2010 and 2015. It highlights his strong support among grassroots Labour members and his ambitions to replace Starmer.
Bias read (Left): The article frames Andy Burnham as a rising leftist figure within the Labour Party, emphasizing his popularity among grassroots members and his challenge to Keir Starmer. The tone suggests admiration for Burnham’s ambitions and portrays him as a significant threat to the current leadership, aligning
Le MondeIndependent🔒Center2 days agoBias read (Center): The summary cannot be determined due to incomplete article text.
France 24 (Français)State / PublicCenter2 days ago UK: Labour's Andy Burnham elected MP and now in a position to challenge StarmerAndy Burnham, a Labour Party mayor of Greater Manchester, was elected as an MP in a by-election on June 19, securing 54.8% of the vote. He now positions himself as a potential successor to Keir Starmer as leader of the Labour Party. His victory came against Nigel Farage's Reform Party candidate, who received 34%, and a new far-right party, Restore Britain, which secured around 7%. Burnham emphasized the need for change in his speech following the results.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual election results without overtly biased language or selective emphasis. It includes quotes from Burnham but does not frame the outcome with clear ideological slant. The report remains neutral in tone and provides context about competing parties and their performances.
Official sources cited
- government Election Results for Makerfield Constituency
- government Speech by Andy Burnham after Election Victory
France 24 (Français)State / PublicCenter3 days ago High-risk by-election for Keir Starmer challenged by Andy BurnhamThe article discusses a by-election in the UK, focusing on Keir Starmer facing challenges from Andy Burnham.
Bias read (Center): The article presents information without overtly biased language or one-sided sourcing. It focuses on the electoral contest between two prominent figures without clear ideological framing.
France 24 (English)State / PublicCenter3 days ago Starmer rival Andy Burnham seeks win in local UK poll pivotal to PM's fateBritain is holding a key local election on Thursday that could determine the future of Labour leader Keir Starmer's premiership. Labour party veteran and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is seeking victory in the parliamentary by-election for the Makerfield constituency, which would position him to challenge Starmer for the role of prime minister. Polling stations opened at 7am (0600 GMT) and will remain open until 10pm, with counting expected to begin immediately after. Pollsters anticipate Burnham's victory, though he faces competition from the hard-right Reform UK party. Political科学家约翰
Bias read (Center): The article presents the situation objectively, highlighting both the potential outcomes for Starmer and Burnham without overtly favoring either side. It includes quotes from a political scientist and mentions the competing parties involved, providing balanced context.
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