Starmer faces leadership challenge after Makerfield by-election

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has insisted he will lead the Labour Party into the next general election, despite mounting internal pressure following a series of poor local election results. His future is now widely seen as hinging on an upcoming parliamentary by-election in Makerfield, where a victory for his chief rival could trigger a formal leadership challenge.

The political turmoil was ignited after Labour suffered heavy losses in local and devolved elections earlier this month. The results prompted calls from within the parliamentary party for Starmer to resign and have led to open jockeying to replace him. Two figures have positioned themselves as potential successors: Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and former Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

Burnham is seeking to return to Parliament by standing as Labour's candidate in the Makerfield by-election, a seat he must win to mount a credible leadership bid. He has stated his campaign is about changing the Labour Party, arguing its recent offer to voters has not been good enough. He has promised a new path focused on affordability and reindustrialization.

Should Burnham win the by-election, he is widely expected to...