Burnham says Labour has 'not been good enough' and pledges not to 're-run' Brexit arguments
Andy Burnham, Labour’s potential candidate for the Makerfield by-election, pledged ambitious plans for the area but ruled out reviving Brexit debates, despite the seat voting 66% Leave in 2016. Prime Minister Keir Starmer declined to set a timetable for stepping down if Burnham wins and urged party unity, avoiding direct engagement on Brexit’s future.
Andy Burnham, expected to be Labour’s candidate for the Makerfield by-election, promised voters a focus on delivering ambitious plans for the area. He explicitly stated he would not campaign to rejoin the EU, though he acknowledged Brexit had been damaging. Burnham’s stance contrasts with the seat’s 2016 referendum result, where 66% voted to leave the bloc, and follows comments by former health secretary Wes Streeting, who called Brexit a ‘catastrophic mistake.’ Prime Minister Keir Starmer avoided setting a timetable for resigning if Burnham wins the by-election, instead pledging full support for Labour’s candidate. He urged party members to set aside internal divisions and unite behind the campaign. Starmer also declined to engage in long-term Brexit debates, stating the UK would take ‘a really important leap forward’ at this year’s EU summit. The Makerfield by-election has reignited Brexit discussions, with Burnham’s refusal to reopen the issue positioning him cautiously amid local sentiment. Labour’s internal tensions remain unresolved, as Starmer’s leadership faces scrutiny over policy direction. The by-election outcome could signal broader shifts in party dynamics ahead of potential future leadership contests.
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