Starmer Leadership Challenge
Keir Starmer Faces Intense Pressure to Resign After Andy Burnham's By-Election Victory
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Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election on June 19, 2026, with 24,937 votes — 55% of the total — dealing a crushing blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer's authority. The Guardian reported that Burnham called the result a "change moment" and "Labour's final chance," as over 100 Labour MPs now openly demand Starmer resign.
Former Home Secretary Alan Johnson became the first major Labour grandee to publicly call for Starmer's exit, telling LBC: "He will forever be in the history books as the man who turned us around... but he knows it's over." Starmer fired back the same afternoon, vowing: "I am not going to walk away," according to PA Media.
Burnham's Landslide Win Shocks Westminster
Burnham beat Reform UK's Robert Kenyon by 9,241 votes in Makerfield, almost double the seat's previous majority. Kenyon still pulled 15,696 votes — 35% of the total — according to New Statesman. The strong Reform showing is being used by Burnham's allies as proof that only a new Labour leader can stop Reform's rise in post-industrial heartlands.
The seat became available when MP Josh Simons stepped down specifically to give Burnham a path back to Parliament, Al Jazeera reported. Burnham had served as Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017. His by-election win immediately ended that role. Paul Dennett has now stepped in as interim Mayor, with a full mayoral by-election set for July 30, 2026.
Cabinet Ministers Tell Starmer His Time Is Up
On the afternoon of June 19, Starmer called senior Cabinet ministers in a bid to gauge support. It did not go well. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander reportedly told him bluntly that he must set a departure timetable, making her the first Cabinet member to do so, according to the Financial Times.
Harriet Harman, the former Deputy Leader, described the mood among Labour MPs as a "stampede" against Starmer. Over 100 MPs have now called for him to go, fearing they will lose their seats at the next general election if he stays. The Financial Times compared the situation to the internal pressure that brought down Margaret Thatcher in 1990.
Starmer Fights Back With a Six-Figure War Chest
Despite the pressure, Starmer has no intention of quitting without a fight. He has built up a campaign fund running into six figures from private donors, according to ITV News. If 81 Labour MPs — 20% of the parliamentary party — sign nomination papers, a formal leadership challenge is triggered. Starmer has confirmed he will contest any such vote.
Supporters argue that removing a Prime Minister without a general election so soon after the last one would "plunge the country into chaos," Sky News reported. Critics warn the bigger danger is government paralysis — with No. 10 too focused on internal survival to tackle issues like the economy and rising Reform UK support.
Burnham's Allies Split on How Fast to Move
Even among those who want Starmer out, there is no clear plan. Some MPs want an immediate leadership contest — possibly starting as early as next week. Others prefer a slower "dignified transition" by September, to give a new leader time to prepare for government, The Guardian reported.
Burnham supporters claim around 200 Labour MPs are ready to sign his nomination papers — well above the 81 needed to trigger a contest. Neal Lawson of the campaign group Compass warned, however, that Starmer's refusal to step aside "diminishes the impact" of Burnham's victory and risks weeks of damaging drift at the top of government.
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