Labour in Turmoil: Andy Burnham Plots Westminster Return as Wes Streeting Quits Over Starmer Leadership

In a dramatic escalation of Labour’s post-election crisis, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is set to return to Parliament, positioning himself as a potential future challenger to Sir Keir Starmer.

Burnham confirmed he will seek the Labour nomination for the Makerfield by-election after sitting MP Josh Simons agreed to step down. Simons said he believes Burnham can “drive the change our country is crying out for.” Burnham, who was previously blocked by Labour’s NEC from standing in another by-election, said he wants to take the “Greater Manchester model” nationwide and “make politics work properly for people.”

The move is significant because only sitting MPs can stand in a Labour leadership contest. With speculation swirling over Starmer’s future following last week’s dismal local election results, Burnham’s return to the Commons opens the door for a serious challenge if the party’s fortunes don’t improve.

The pressure on Starmer intensified on Thursday when Health Secretary Wes Streeting became the first cabinet minister to resign, openly declaring he had lost confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership. Streeting blamed the “unpopularity of this government” for the poor results and called for a “bold vision” and bigger solutions. He stopped short of announcing his own leadership bid but made clear the party needs a broad debate about its direction.

Downing Street moved quickly to limit the damage, appointing James Murray, formerly Chief Secretary to the Treasury, as the new Health Secretary.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner moved to clear her name by announcing she has settled her tax affairs with HMRC, paying £40,000 in unpaid stamp duty. Rayner, who had stepped back from cabinet roles last year over the issue, said she had been “exonerated” and did not rule out running in any future leadership race — though she insisted she would not personally trigger one.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage welcomed the upcoming Makerfield contest, promising his party would “throw absolutely everything at it” after making strong gains in the recent local elections in the area. Labour held the seat in 2024 with a relatively modest majority of 5,399 over Reform.

A leadership contest would require 81 Labour MPs (20% of the 403-strong parliamentary party) to back a challenger. Starmer would automatically be on the ballot if he chooses to defend his position.

Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell is expected to try to calm tensions on Friday, describing Burnham, Streeting, and Rayner as “key players” the party needs.

For now, Sir Keir’s allies insist he remains focused on uniting the party and delivering for working families. However, with multiple senior figures openly calling for fresh thinking and a leadership pathway now being cleared for Burnham, the coming weeks could prove decisive for the future of Starmer’s premiership. The by-election date has yet to be set.