Makerfield. I wonder how it’s going!

i don't think burnham has any right to win, he is not doing it to be a mp for the people he is doing it to be pm, he is not going to come in and wave a magic wand, we will still have people in poverty, we will still have boats coming in and we will still have homeless people. burnham should get off his high horse and stick to being mayor.

Galaxy

Oh I agree with that who leads the labour party ( out of those two) will make very little difference

I think that who leads the LP will make a very big difference IF they are prepared to challenge the economic 'orthodoxy' that has brought us to the state we are in.

IMO they would need to challenge the BoE which is keeping interest rates high for entirely spurious reasons, challenge the idea that the secondary bond markets (which are just vehicles for speculation) settle the direction of our economy and to bring back some utilities into public ownership, notably the water industry (I think that would please a* huge* number of citizens), or at least, like transport, into public control. Then introduce some genuinely progressive taxation, (as suggested in Murphy's Taxing Wealth Report, not the unwieldy and unworkable 'wealth tax' which gaining favour).

I think these are all do-able and noticeable, within a relatively short period of time.

(And stop prattling on about 'Great British this and that. Just 'British, and truly British, would do fine)

If Burnham was a responsible politician he wouldn’t renege on his promise to the people of Manchester. He’s using the people of Makerfield and letting down the people in Manchester. I’m ashamed to be a Labour supporter at this moment in time; these shenanigans are as bad as the previous government with its musical chairs approach to its party leadership. And at a time when the government should be showing a united front against the threat from Russia.

Oh I agree with that who leads the labour party ( out of those two) will make very little difference

I didn’t resign when I had huge differences with Corbyn (an idealist , shopping list of impossible polices that could no way be carried out, and he was very wobbly indeed on Brexit). One stays in,

(unless for example well for me it was something as massive as crawling after the USA and entering the Iraq war)

And campaigns for the policies and leader one feels best for the foreseeable.

And that is changing fairly rapidly atm, and unpredictable. But Labour has a massive majority in parliament: and the biggest challenge is not who we have as leader,

but working to end the dreadful divisions in our society

and the likes of not just Farage but the shadowy rich international interests and individuals behind the far right: when you have a trillionaire like Musk operating for a far right agenda,

and the likes of Tommy Robinson raising hell on our streets and threatening our vivid multicultural society ….. (and remember just how much we need people to fill critical work sectors)

Well look at the real matters at stake here. As far as I’m concerned Leader wise it’s a process that may or may not happen:

Burnham is a responsible politician and has a natural ease that comes across to key sectors of the population: Starmer may still prove himself to be a stayer’

The keys issues are not popcorn over a leadership fight, but the future direction of politics.

Yes MayBee70 I’m holding on to my Labour Party membership too so I can vote in a future leadership election (if one arises)👍

LizzieDrip

There are plenty of Labour Party members (myself included) who would vote for KS in a leadership election … should one take place.

I’m not convinced that KS would win … but IMO it certainly wouldn’t be the embarrassing drubbing that some folk (and the media) are hoping for.

I know of a lot of people that are joining the party to support Keir although they need to be a member for six months to have a leadership vote. Also people like me that were considering resigning our membership if Burnham makes a bid for the leadership ( and, let’s face it ,he’s only using Makerfield as a stepping stone to that) will be keeping it so we can vote for the democratically elected PM.

In a BBC Question Time Makerfield special this month, Mr Burnham said that if Mr Streeting triggered a contest, he too would throw his hat in the ring.

How do you know Starmer is finished if Burnham wins . It is not a foregone conclusion that Burnham will gain the support of enough of the Labour party .Quite honestly anyone who is so disloyal and puts self before party isn't worthy of anyone's vote. No wonder Putin is rubbing his hand in glee, as another poster has said. Funny how this tack has been forgotten and Farage will be laughing all the way to the bank, Burnham has played into his hands.

There are plenty of Labour Party members (myself included) who would vote for KS in a leadership election … should one take place.

I’m not convinced that KS would win … but IMO it certainly wouldn’t be the embarrassing drubbing that some folk (and the media) are hoping for.

Why

Well there isn't really a win for Starmer is there, if Burnham wins he is finished, and if Reform wins he is finished a bit further down the line.

I bet Starmer secretly wants Burnham to lose. I hope he loses as well he's so entitled I think his moniker King of the North has gone to his head.

By the way, included in the Guardian commentary, there is a special feature on "dogs at polling stations" ☺️ enjoy!

The Guardian has a good "minute by minute" report soon the day (giving the guardian as accessible, as I can find no one else dong this!)

www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/jun/18/makerfield-byelection-polls-open-labour-leadership-andy-burnham-keir-starmer-latest-news-updates

FriedGreenTomatoes2

I suppose if Burnham does win (as forecast) then a leadership challenge will well and truly be on the cards. Maybe with a GE soon to settle the Labour chaos?

No, it won't be so dramatic, sorry, put away the popcorn.

Remember, first of all there will be an election for a mayor, and that will keep us in the Labour Party and all others busy. Reform will make a pitch for that and may even want it. then, there will be lots of internal chat as to if others will want to put themselves forward. Hurrying will help no one, and we are well aware of that as will Burnham.

There are major events affecting our county - ie the consequences of the war that Trump so stupidly started, that will go on affecting us all.

It's the press - and clearly the right as displayed here - want huge dramatic contests as in tomorrow - we don't, in the Labour Party: except for a few hotheads, we still value Starmer's international contributions, and if we want a change, an orderly one. and with our rules as regarding leadership contests, it takes a good deal of time.

We are not actually "in chaos". Sorry to disappoint.

MayBee70

Spinnaker

I think that secretly Reform will want Burnham to win. Then they will sit back and watch the explosion from this already fragile government, resulting in a complete and utter shambles. In my opinion of course.

They campaigned with Starmer Out recently so it’s win win for Reform. All we need at the moment is civil war in the Labour Party. Reform and Putin must be beside themselves with glee over it. Congratulations Burnham; playing right into their hands. But if he think he’s going to walk straight into the top job he’s got a fight on his hands.

I think you're right MayBee70. I really hope Burnham doesn't get anywhere near being PM - the man's ego is massive !

Spinnaker

I think that secretly Reform will want Burnham to win. Then they will sit back and watch the explosion from this already fragile government, resulting in a complete and utter shambles. In my opinion of course.

They campaigned with Starmer Out recently so it’s win win for Reform. All we need at the moment is civil war in the Labour Party. Reform and Putin must be beside themselves with glee over it. Congratulations Burnham; playing right into their hands. But if he think he’s going to walk straight into the top job he’s got a fight on his hands.

I hope Andy wins. I wish the Labour Party wasn’t in this mess, we need strong, reliable government not back biting and chaos.

Andy B will be an asset at Westminster. Rob the sexist not very bright plumber - would not be an asset anywhere

Good do CW about time too

I think your right spinnaker..
Im looking at it from over the water but it still affects me long term, my dh and myself have private pensions and state pensions from the UK, we pay our taxes to the UK before we receive it.

MT62

AGAA4

I hope Burnham wins. Don't want toxic Reform in any more councils

At least our pot holes have been filled in 😊 since reform got in.

I would hope so too. The Labour government quite recently gave count councils extra funding for pot holes.

There’s no point in worrying about Farage becoming PM in 3 years or so …. IMO

ronib

If Burnham wins and challenges Starmer, doesn’t there need to be a vote and other candidates may be preferable? Wes Streeting seems keen on challenging the PM for example. It’s not a forgone conclusion that Burnham will become PM.

It isn’t, you’re right. But even if Andy does get in there is a world of difference between being a popular mayor and becoming the PM. Always easy to find fault and say you’ll do better when you aren’t running the government. If he doesn’t turn things around within a short time people will be descending on him like a ton of bricks as well. It will be the same for whoever becomes PM and would be the same if God forbid Farage ever became PM. People want quick fixes to complex political issues and whilst the very rich pull the government’s strings I really don’t see how things can change.

MT62

AGAA4

I hope Burnham wins. Don't want toxic Reform in any more councils

At least our pot holes have been filled in 😊 since reform got in.

I can't say that there's been much action on ours in Durham and Reform have been in power for a year now.