Sir Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure from within his own party after Andy Burnham’s commanding victory in the Makerfield by-election reignited calls for a change of leadership at the top of Labour.
The Prime Minister spent Friday attempting to contain growing unrest after Burnham secured 55 per cent of the vote in Makerfield, defeating Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by more than 9,000 votes and strengthening his position as the frontrunner to succeed Sir Keir.
Burnham’s return to Westminster has dramatically altered the political landscape, with Labour MPs, ministers and senior party figures now openly discussing the future direction of the party.
In his victory speech, Burnham declared that Labour faced its “last chance to change” and promised to set out “a new path for Britain”.
The remarks were widely interpreted as a challenge to the Prime Minister’s leadership and a signal that Burnham intends to play a central role in shaping Labour’s future.
Reports suggest Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has urged Sir Keir to consider setting out a timetable for his departure, while several senior Cabinet ministers have previously expressed concerns about the party’s direction following Labour’s recent difficulties.
Former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, a close ally of Burnham, has called for a “managed and orderly transition”, while a growing number of Labour MPs have publicly questioned whether Sir Keir can continue to lead the party into the next general election.
Jo White, the Labour MP for Bassetlaw, said the Prime Minister should use the weekend to reflect on his position and consider allowing a smooth transfer of power. Other MPs have also indicated they believe it may be time for Labour to move on from its current leader.
According to reports in The Times, Sir Keir is spending the weekend with his wife and family while considering his political future amid growing pressure from Labour MPs and members of his Cabinet. While he has publicly insisted he will not resign, sources close to the Prime Minister told the newspaper that he recognises the increasing calls from within the party for him to step aside.
Despite the pressure, Sir Keir has remained defiant.
Asked whether he would set a timetable for his departure, he said:
“I was elected to serve my country with a mandate that we secured at a general election two years ago.”
He added: “If there is a contest, yes I will run. I will stand and I have said repeatedly I am not going to walk away from that.”
The Prime Minister has repeatedly warned Labour against descending into the sort of internal warfare that damaged previous governments.
Addressing party staff following the by-election result, he said:
“The one thing we’ve got to avoid doing is plunging our party and our country into chaos by turning on each other and tearing apart our party and our movement.”
However, Burnham’s supporters argue that Labour’s electoral difficulties stem from a failure of leadership and that the party risks further decline if it does not change course.
Burnham’s overwhelming victory has strengthened that argument. Labour increased its vote share by ten percentage points in Makerfield, while Burnham comfortably outperformed expectations and secured a commanding lead over Reform UK.
Speaking after the result, Burnham said he would take the momentum from the campaign into Westminster and help “change British politics forever”.
The victory has left Labour MPs openly discussing what only months ago would have seemed unthinkable, whether Sir Keir Starmer can realistically remain Prime Minister.
A potentially decisive moment could come next week when senior ministers gather for Cabinet, with speculation continuing over whether Labour can remain united behind its current leader.
Whether Sir Keir can reassert control over his party, or whether Burnham’s Makerfield triumph proves the beginning of the end for his premiership, may become clear in the days ahead.
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