UK: Andy Burnham wins Makerfield and could become prime minister

“The election was a resounding victory for Andy Burnham and the British Labour Party,” says Erik Mustad, a lecturer at the University of Agder.

He spent the few days before the election to follow proceedings in Manchester and Ashton-in-Makerfield, providing commentary to Norwegian media outlets.

Burnham secured over 50 per cent of the vote, thereby inflicting a stinging defeat on the right-wing Reform Party. As recently as May, Reform had won the local election in this traditional Labour stronghold.

“Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Labour have long struggled with poor opinion poll ratings. Starmer has been unpopular among both voters and his own party members. Labour’s defeat in the local elections was, in many ways, the straw that broke the camel’s back for many of the party’s members,” says Mustad.

In recent weeks, ministers including Wes Streeting, John Healy, and Al Carn have resigned from the government. On 22 June, Kier Starmer announced his resignation as prime minister.

Could he become prime minister?

The by-election in the Makerfield constituency was arranged so that Burnham could be elected as an MP. His party colleague Johs Simons stepped down from Parliament to help ensure that Burnham could be elected in his place.

Mustad explains that as an MP, Burnham could become party leader and potentially prime minister, although the path is not straightforward.

“A lot can still happen. More Labour candidates may enter the race to become party leader. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting has already announced that he will stand for election,” says Mustad.

Seasoned politician returns to parliament

Burnham grew up in Leigh in north-west England. Since 2017, he has been a popular mayor of Greater Manchester.

He also previously represented his home constituency in the British House of Commons from 2001 to 2017.

He served as an adviser to Tony Blair’s Labour government and as Health Secretary in Gordon Brown’s government.

“As mayor, he has been successful in Greater Manchester, and in his acceptance speech, he promised local residents that he would put the interests of the local community before those of his party,” says Mustad.

Appearances can be deceiving

When you walk through Ashton-in-Makerfield, you get the impression that someone has forgotten this part of the country.

Paint is peeling off most of the brick houses. Several shops are closed. Thick planks have been nailed across the windows of an old pub.

“The impression of decay is somewhat deceptive. Unemployment in this area is actually below the national average, and the average income here is at a respectable level for the North of England,” says Mustad.

He points out that part of the story of this coal and textile district in the county of Lancashire is that many of the permanent residents commute to work in the cities of Liverpool and Manchester.

“Due to changes in industries and the world of work, residential areas outside the major cities are also changing,” says Mustad.

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Read the Norwegian version of this article on forskning.no

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