Who is Andy Burnham, and could he replace Keir Starmer as UK PM?

Andy Burnham's emphatic return to the United Kingdom House of Commons is going to dramatically change the political conversation in London.

After spending nearly a decade building his profile as mayor of Greater Manchester, the Labour politician has re-entered Westminster at a moment when British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is confronting the most serious challenge of his leadership.

Burnham's victory in the Makerfield by-election on June 18 has done more than simply restore him to Parliament.

It has escalated an already heated debate within Labour over the party's future direction, its ability to counter the growing appeal of Nigel Farage's Reform UK, and whether Starmer remains the right person to lead Labour into the next general election.

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The by-election result has been interpreted by many within the governing party as evidence that Burnham possesses the electoral appeal and political profile needed to reconnect Labour with disillusioned voters.

At the same time, it has elevated discussion about whether the man often referred to as the "King of the North" could eventually become Britain's next prime minister.

Who is Andy Burnham?

At 56 years old, Burnham is among the most experienced figures in the Labour Party. His political career spans more than two decades and includes service at the highest levels of government as well as nearly a decade overseeing one of England's most important city-regions.

Unlike many contemporary politicians whose reputations are tied exclusively to Westminster, Burnham's political identity has been shaped by two distinct phases.

The first chapter was his rise through national politics. Elected as Labour MP for Leigh in 2001, Burnham quickly established himself within the party hierarchy.

During the Labour governments led by Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, he occupied a succession of senior positions. His ministerial responsibilities included serving as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Culture Secretary and Health Secretary.

His prominence within Labour led him to seek the party leadership after Labour's defeat in 2010. That attempt proved unsuccessful. A second bid five years later also failed to deliver the top job.

Rather than continuing indefinitely as a Westminster politician, Burnham chose a different path. In 2017, he left Parliament and successfully ran to become the first directly elected Mayor of Greater Manchester. The move would ultimately transform his political standing.

Over the following years, Burnham developed a reputation as a champion of regional interests and local government. He consistently argued that power and resources had become overly concentrated in London and advocated greater autonomy for England's cities and regions.

His electoral success as mayor reinforced that image. Landslide victories in both 2021 and 2024 demonstrated his popularity across Greater Manchester and cemented his position as one of Labour's most recognisable elected officials outside Westminster.

One of the most frequently cited accomplishments of his mayoralty was the development of the Bee Network. Through that initiative, Greater Manchester's bus system was brought back under unified public control after years of privatised operation.

The project introduced capped fares and sought to create a more integrated transport system resembling London's network.

Those achievements helped Burnham cultivate an image as a practical administrator capable of delivering tangible policy outcomes rather than merely participating in national political debates.

It was during this period that he acquired the nickname "King of the North," reflecting both his regional influence and his willingness to challenge decisions made by central government.

Why has Burnham returned to Parliament?

Despite his growing national profile, Burnham faced a constitutional obstacle to any future ambition of becoming prime minister: he was not a Member of Parliament.

In Britain, the prime minister is almost always drawn from the House of Commons. Without a parliamentary seat, Burnham could influence political debate but could not realistically aspire to lead the government.

That situation changed when Labour MP Josh Simons resigned from the Makerfield constituency in Greater Manchester, creating an opportunity for Burnham to contest the seat.

The move was widely interpreted as an effort by allies to facilitate Burnham's return to Westminster. The by-election quickly became one of the most closely watched contests in recent British political history.

Rather than being viewed as a routine local vote, it became a referendum of sorts on Burnham's future role within Labour.

When the ballots were counted, Burnham secured a decisive victory. He won 54.8 per cent of the vote, comfortably ahead of Reform UK, whose candidate received 34.5 per cent.

Many Labour politicians viewed the outcome as evidence that Burnham could effectively challenge Reform UK, a party that has emerged as Labour's most pressing political threat in several parts of England.

The scale of the victory immediately strengthened Burnham's position inside the Labour Party and intensified scrutiny of Starmer's leadership.

Addressing supporters after the result, Burnham suggested the election carried broader political significance. "We must hear it, we must act upon it, and we must get it right," he said. "There will be no second chance."

He also characterised the result as a "turning point." Burnham argued that the outcome offered an opportunity for British politics to move in a different direction.

He said the victory provided a chance to turn "away from the path that takes us to a divided, dark politics of the kind we see in the United States".

The comments reflected a recurring theme of Burnham's campaign in which he is positioning himself as an alternative to increasingly polarised political movements.

What is driving the crisis facing Keir Starmer?

Burnham's resurgence has coincided with a difficult period for Starmer. Only two years earlier, Starmer had led Labour to a sweeping election victory that returned the party to power.

Yet despite entering government with a substantial parliamentary majority, his administration has struggled to maintain political momentum. A series of controversies, policy reversals and criticism over decision-making have weakened his standing both within Labour and among the wider public.

Recent polling has painted a bleak picture for the prime minister. According to the latest information, Starmer's popularity ratings have fallen to levels that place him among the least popular British prime ministers recorded in modern polling.

The situation deteriorated further following Labour's performance in local elections held in May earlier this year.

The party suffered significant losses, while Reform UK continued to expand its support base. The scale of the setback alarmed Labour MPs who fear losing their own seats before the next scheduled general election in 2029.

Approximately a quarter of Labour lawmakers have reportedly urged Starmer to step aside since those elections. Pressure has also emerged from within government. Senior colleagues, including ministers responsible for defence and health, have resigned amid concerns about the party's direction and leadership.

Although Starmer has consistently rejected calls to quit, the demands for change have not subsided. This week, he reiterated that he would participate in any leadership contest rather than voluntarily withdrawing.

At the same time, he warned Labour colleagues about the risks associated with a prolonged and divisive leadership battle.

Despite those warnings, many MPs believe Burnham's by-election triumph has altered the political calculations inside the party. Several Labour lawmakers suggested that the scale of the Makerfield victory could increase pressure on Starmer to consider an orderly transition.

Meanwhile, UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, regarded as a close ally of Burnham, indicated that discussions between the two men were expected.

While she ruled out leaving the cabinet, she acknowledged that she could not speak for the decisions of other ministers.

Why are many Labour members viewing Burnham as the strongest alternative?

Nigel Farage's party has become an increasingly powerful force in British politics. Rising support for Reform UK has unsettled Labour MPs, particularly those representing constituencies where anti-establishment sentiment and concerns over immigration have become prominent political issues.

Many lawmakers fear that unless Labour changes course, Reform UK could pose a serious threat at the next national election. Burnham's victory over Reform UK's candidate in Makerfield therefore carried symbolic importance.

According to one Labour lawmaker, Burnham will return to London carrying the credentials of someone capable of defeating Farage's insurgent movement, reported Reuters.

That perception has fuelled calls for Labour to consider a leadership change before the next general election. Opinion surveys among Labour members have further strengthened Burnham's position. Polling suggests he would enter any leadership contest as the favourite.

His support base extends beyond traditional ideological factions. While generally associated with Labour's "soft left," Burnham has also cultivated a reputation for administrative competence and practical governance, attributes that appeal to members seeking an electorally viable leader.

Throughout the month-long Makerfield campaign, Burnham increasingly appeared to be operating as a national political figure rather than simply a candidate seeking a parliamentary seat.

He regularly discussed policy issues and outlined approaches that observers interpreted as preparations for a possible future government.

Could Burnham become PM without a general election?

Because Labour currently controls a parliamentary majority, a change in party leadership would not automatically require a nationwide vote. Under Britain's parliamentary system, the leader of the governing party generally becomes prime minister.

As a result, Burnham could enter Downing Street if he secured Labour's leadership, even without a general election.

Several potential pathways exist. One possibility involves an orderly transfer of authority.

A number of Labour politicians have argued that Starmer should establish a timetable for his departure rather than force the party into a bruising internal struggle. Supporters of this approach believe a smooth transition would minimize political damage and preserve party unity.

Under such a scenario, Burnham could emerge as a consensus candidate if rivals declined to challenge him.

Another route would involve Burnham actively initiating a leadership contest. Labour's rules require a challenger to obtain support from 20 per cent of Labour MPs. Given the party's current parliamentary numbers, that threshold stands at 81 lawmakers, including the candidate.

Once Burnham formally takes his seat in Parliament next week, he will become eligible to mount such a challenge.

Timing could prove important. If he wishes to move quickly, supporters suggest action would likely need to occur before Parliament enters its summer recess on July 16.

Should a contest begin, Starmer would possess an automatic right to participate. Candidates would then seek endorsements from local Labour organisations and trade unions before the membership vote takes place.

The entire process could last between two and three months.

A third possibility involves another politician launching the challenge. Former UK Health Minister Wes Streeting has already signalled his willingness to confront Starmer if the prime minister does not clarify his future plans.

Streeting has stated that he possesses sufficient backing to enter a leadership race. However, polling indicates that Burnham would likely remain the preferred choice among party members even if multiple candidates competed.

What policies and economic ideas define Burnham's politics?

Burnham has frequently described an approach to politics that differs from both traditional Blair-era centrism and the harder-left agenda associated with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Supporters often refer to this outlook as "Manchesterism." At its core is the belief that government should play a more active role in supporting communities, improving public services and reducing regional inequalities.

Burnham has repeatedly criticised what he describes as four decades of unsuccessful neo-liberal economic policy. His record suggests support for stronger public involvement in sectors that he considers essential to everyday life.

Among the areas where he has advocated greater public control are transport, energy, housing, water services and rail infrastructure. Regional devolution represents another cornerstone of his political philosophy.

Throughout his mayoralty, Burnham argued that local authorities should receive significantly greater powers and funding rather than relying on decisions made in Westminster.

Economically, he has expressed openness to increased public investment designed to rebuild public services and infrastructure. At the same time, he has sought to reassure financial markets regarding fiscal discipline.

Those reassurances became particularly important after comments he made last year about Britain being "in hock" to bond markets generated concern among investors.

The remarks contributed to market unease because some interpreted them as signaling a willingness to increase borrowing. Burnham subsequently maintained that his comments had been misrepresented.

During the recent campaign, he repeatedly emphasized that any future government he led would continue to operate within strict fiscal rules.

Even so, financial markets have closely monitored his political ascent. His advocacy of public ownership and expanded state involvement in key sectors has prompted debate about how a Burnham-led government might reshape Britain's economic model.

With inputs from agencies