Andy Burnham has launched his campaign for the Makerfield byelection, triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons, an ally. The Greater Manchester mayor, who harbours ambitions for the Labour leadership and ultimately the prime minister's office, is relying on a small, volunteer-staffed team operating on a shoestring budget. One insider described the operation as "hand-to-mouth," supported mainly by volunteers and soft-left MPs who want to see Burnham return to parliament.
Burnham has long contemplated re-entering the House of Commons, aiming to bring his "Manchesterism" ideology to the national stage. His ideas, honed during two previous Labour leadership campaigns and tested as mayor of a major city, are well-developed. However, the ultimate goal of becoming prime minister requires preparation, a network of political allies, and a close-knit advisory team—assets that Keir Starmer has found essential. This raises questions about who is helping Burnham and how ready he is for a top job.
Inner Circle
Kevin Lee, Burnham's chief of staff and right-hand man, has worked with him for over 15 years, including during Burnham's shadow cabinet tenure, his mayoral campaign, and nine years as mayor. Lee is considered indispensable, and the pair operate as a team. However, the operation is expanding to handle increased demand for communications around the byelection.
Josh Simons, the former Makerfield MP who stepped down to make way for Burnham, is now campaigning alongside him. Though without a formal role, Simons brings a policy and academic background, offering ideas on revitalising Labour. Some supporting MPs worry that the team needed for a genuine leadership challenge is not yet strong enough. "There is not a big well-organised machine behind him yet," one MP noted.
Close MPs
Anneliese Midgley, an MP and organiser, serves as the campaign's political lead. A former trade unionist and political director of Unite, she represents the neighbouring constituency of Knowsley. A former adviser to Ken Livingstone and Jeremy Corbyn, she was also key to Starmer's project before becoming an MP.
Louise Haigh, former transport secretary and a prominent member of the Tribune group, is a key ally among MPs, helping with Burnham's campaign. The Tribune group recently set out a programme for economic renewal and a more active state.
Lucy Powell, deputy Labour leader, has been loyal to the government but is also an ally of Burnham and a fellow Manchester MP. She assists with the Makerfield campaign, having run byelections before and directed Ed Miliband's 2015 national campaign.
Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, is another political friend. He considered a leadership run if a contest had been triggered last week but now backs Burnham's effort to re-enter parliament and would be tipped for a big job in a new administration.
Big Thinkers
While Burnham's campaign has started smoothly, less work has been done on preparation for an actual leadership challenge or governing. Burnham has been clear on issues like proportional representation (PR) and Shabana Mahmood's immigration reforms, but more thinking and organising is needed, supporters acknowledge.
Neal Lawson, director of the centre-left Compass thinktank, influences Burnham's worldview. A proponent of closer progressive working, Burnham has said he would like Labour to promise voting system change in the next election. Lawson believes Burnham offers "real change, not cosmetic" and can win over Greens through commitment to PR, pluralism, and new politics.
Mathew Lawrence, political economist and director of the Common Wealth project, set out the philosophy of Manchesterism in the New Statesman. He has criticised the government's failure on cost of living, advocating public ownership of water, energy, and transport.
Luke Hurst of the Burnham-supporting Mainstream Group is another important figure, while Miatta Fahnbulleh, a former minister who resigned last week, is said to be helping with policy. "We hear talk of a first hundred days plan, so we just hope that is being done," says one Burnham backer.
Unions
Burnham is expected to receive significant union backing, having already received a modest £20,000 from some unions. He could gain endorsements and support from Unite and Unison, which have called for Starmer's administration to be more true to Labour values.
