Andy Burnham is preparing for a third attempt at the Labour leadership. Following the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer, many party members are looking toward the newly elected Member of Parliament for Makerfield to potentially take charge. Burnham has confirmed his intention to run, bolstered by an endorsement from former health secretary Wes Streeting.
His path to Parliament was solidified last week after winning the Makerfield by-election, where he secured nearly 55% of the vote against Reform UK. Originally from Liverpool and raised in Cheshire, Burnham has deep roots in the Labour movement. He attended Cambridge University before entering journalism and eventually starting his political career as a researcher for Tessa Jowell. He served in several cabinet roles under Gordon Brown, including health secretary, and notably challenged the government on the Hillsborough disaster.
After two previous unsuccessful bids for the party leadership in 2010 and 2015, Burnham pivoted to regional politics. He was elected the first mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017, where he gained national attention for his regional transport policies and his vocal opposition to the Conservative government during the Covid-19 pandemic. Often called the King of the North, he has evolved his political stance over time, moving further left while maintaining a focus on northern advocacy. With Starmer’s exit, Burnham has emerged as the primary contender, having successfully secured his return to Westminster to pursue the role of prime minister.
