EXCLUSIVE: Andy Burnham has said he would run to replace Keir Starmer, but it is understood that he is not planning to challenge in the first few days if he wins the by-election16:30, 17 Jun 2026Updated 16:31, 17 Jun 2026Andy Burnham is understood to want the PM to set out a timetable for his departure(Image: PP.)Andy Burnham is not planning to challenge the Prime Minister in the first 72 hours if he wins the Makerfield by-election, the Mirror understands.The Labour leadership hopeful has said he would run in any contest to replace Keir Starmer. However, it is understood that he is not planning to announce a challenge in the first few days if he wins the Makerfield by-election.Instead, the Greater Manchester Mayor hopes to persuade Mr Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure. The Burnham campaign has sought to maintain good relations with Downing Street, despite plans to oust the PM.Andy Burnham is not planning to announce a challenge in the first 72 hours after the by-election(Image: ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA/Shutterstock)A source in his camp said: “Any suggestion we are going to challenge in the first 72 hours is nonsense. From the very beginning Andy has tried to have a good relationship with Keir, and would rather talk to him first if he wins. It’s all been cordial, because that’s the way Andy is.”While numerous cabinet ministers have been out campaigning for Mr Burnham, the PM has not made the trip, despite pledging to do so. Earlier this month Mr Burnham announced plans to put himself forward for a leadership contest, after being asked directly about his ambitions on Question Time.He told the audience: “I think Wes Streeting seems to have launched a leadership contest, so if that is running, I would seek to join it. But I’d have to persuade members of the Parliamentary Labour Party to do the same.”Mr Burnham is the favourite to win the Makerfield by-election, facing off against Reform’s Robert Kenyon, who has repeatedly refused to apologise for derogatory remarks about women – including a vile slur about Carol Vorderman.On Wednesday, the PM signalled that he would offer Mr Burnham a position in his Cabinet if he is returns to Westminster. The PM – who has vowed to fight and win any leadership contest – cautioned his rivals against challenging him, and warned that there will be a tricky mayoral election to fight in Greater Manchester if Mr Burnham wins the by-election.Asked if he would try to bring Mr Burnham into his Cabinet, Mr Starmer told reporters at the G7 summit: “Oh, Andy is a great asset. And, yes, I want him to have a big role in the government.”Pressed by Sky News if he’d give him a call at the weekend to invite him into his top team, the PM continued: “Well I’m sure I’ll talk to Andy after the weekend, of course I will. I’ve spoken to him many times in recent weeks.”And when I came into politics in 2015, it was Andy Burnham’s team that I joined, and we worked very well together. He’s a huge asset. He’s been a fantastic mayor in Manchester. And if he comes back into Parliament, I hope he wins in the by-election. He’ll be a fantastic asset for our party and for the country.”However, a senior source ruled out Mr Burnham taking the role. They told Manchester Evening News that “the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government’s failings”.Meanwhile, Wes Streeting suggested he is prepared to trigger a Labour leadership challenge against Mr Starmer as early as next week.The ex-Health Secretary said on Tuesday that the Prime Minister should first be given “time to reflect” over the weekend after the contest.He told BBC’s Newsnight: “I would prefer the Prime Minister to take a decision on his own terms – rather than leave it for me, or Andy [Burnham] or anyone else to trigger a contest.”But pressed over the scenario of the Prime Minister remaining in No10, he went on: “If not we can’t carry on with this uncertainty and paralysis. There will need to be a contest, and I’d be prepared to do that.”The senior Labour figure insisted on Tuesday he has the 81 Labour MPs required to trigger a contest against the Prime Minister, despite not doing so while resigning.Mr Streeting – who has called on his former boss to set out a timetable for his resignation – claims he had not yet triggered a contest due to Thursday’s by-election.
