Labour leadership tensions grow after Burnham by-election win | TheBriefWire
Labour leadership tensions grow after Burnham by-election win
Published 20 June 2026 · politics
A by-election victory in Makerfield has triggered fresh political speculation inside the UK Labour Party, as Andy Burnham used his win to outline a broader
A by-election victory in Makerfield has triggered fresh political speculation inside the UK Labour Party, as Andy Burnham used his win to outline a broader vision for Britain’s future — one that some interpret as a potential leadership pitch.
Burnham secured a decisive victory, taking nearly 55 percent of the vote despite national polling challenges for Labour and strong competition from Reform UK. His allies argue the result strengthens his position as a potential alternative to current Labour leader Keir Starmer, who has indicated he would fight any leadership challenge.
The result has intensified debate over Labour’s direction and raised questions about political stability in the UK, which could be heading towards yet another leadership contest in a
decade marked by rapid changes in government. Al Jazeera's Milena Veselinovic reports from London Find us on Check our website Check out our Instagram page Download AJE Mobile App
Published: June 20, 2026 • 7:39 AM IST · Updated: June 20, 2026 • 8:10 AM ISTBy TheBriefWire Editorial Team
Key points· Video
A by-election victory in Makerfield has triggered fresh political speculation inside the UK Labour Party, as Andy Burnham used his win to outline a broader vision for Britain’s future — one that some interpret as a potential leadership pitch.
Burnham secured a decisive victory, taking nearly 55 percent of the vote despite national polling challenges for Labour and strong competition from Reform UK.
His allies argue the result strengthens his position as a potential alternative to current Labour leader Keir Starmer, who has indicated he would fight any leadership challenge.
The result has intensified debate over Labour’s direction and raised questions about political stability in the UK, which could be heading towards yet another leadership contest in a decade marked by rapid changes in government.
Al Jazeera's Milena Veselinovic reports from London Find us on Check our website Check out our Instagram page Download AJE Mobile App
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