Andy Burnham Contests June 18 Makerfield By-Election as Reform Targets Labour Stronghold
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 8
Andy Burnham Contests June 18 Makerfield By-Election as Reform Targets Labour Stronghold
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 8
Summary
Makerfield’s June 18 by-election has become a high-stakes test for Andy Burnham, who is trying to return to Westminster after Labour MP Josh Simons resigned to open the seat.
Reform is treating the contest as a prime pickup opportunity in a white working-class, Brexit-backing constituency where Nigel Farage says his party will throw everything at victory.
Robert Kenyon, Reform’s candidate and a local plumber, lost to Simons in 2024 by 18,000 votes to 12,800, but Labour’s standing has since weakened while Reform’s support has risen.
Burnham still enters with unusual advantages: he grew up nearby, represented neighboring Leigh for 15 years, and enjoys near-universal name recognition across Greater Manchester.
A Burnham win would likely trigger an immediate challenge to Keir Starmer and could reshape Labour’s leadership by autumn; a loss would damage Burnham’s case as the party’s best answer to Reform.
Can the 'King of the North' reclaim a Brexit heartland, or will Reform UK's surge prove unstoppable?
Is this election the final nail in the coffin for Britain's traditional two-party system?
Makerfield By-election 2026: Andy Burnham’s Bid, Labour’s Leadership Crisis, and the Battle Against Reform UK
Overview
The Makerfield by-election on June 18, 2026, is more than a local vote—it has become a crucial national event for the Labour Party. The contest was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Josh Simons, who stepped down to allow Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to run. Burnham’s open ambition to become the next UK prime minister puts him in direct competition with current leader Keir Starmer, who has said he will defend his position if challenged. This high-stakes by-election is seen as a potential turning point for Labour’s leadership and could reshape the national political landscape.