Starmer Says “100% Behind” Burnham; Will Campaign in Makerfield
Sir Keir Starmer said on Thursday he would campaign personally in the Makerfield by-election for Andy Burnham. “I want to be part of that, of course I do,” Starmer told reporters. “I’ve said to the whole Labour movement that I want everybody to be involved in the campaign, whatever other discussions are going on. It’s really important — that’s a straight fight between Labour and Reform.” The by-election takes place on 18 June.
A spokesperson for Burnham said: “Anyone who wants to embrace Andy’s campaign message is welcome on the campaign.” The phrasing leaves the question of whether Burnham would actually want Starmer’s help in the constituency unresolved — an open question that has been a recurring theme through the week’s coverage. Reform UK’s Nigel Farage said that Reform would “throw the kitchen sink” at the by-election and identified easing pressure on social housing as a regional priority. The political theatre of Starmer campaigning for a leadership-rival-in-waiting is the central drama of the next four weeks before the 18 June by-election.