A high-stakes by-election that could shape the future of British politics and potentially influence the leadership of Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been scheduled for June 18, the local council announced on Wednesday.
The vote, confirmed by Wigan Council, will take place following the resignation of Labour MP Josh Simons, who stepped down to pave the way for senior Labour figure Andy Burnham to contest the Makerfield parliamentary seat in northwest England.
Burnham, currently serving as Mayor of Greater Manchester, is widely seen as a potential challenger for the Labour Party leadership if he secures a return to Parliament. He has already begun campaigning in the constituency and is positioning his bid as part of a broader push for change within the party.
“The poll will take place on Thursday, 18th June 2026,” Wigan Council confirmed in its official notice.
The by-election comes at a turbulent time for Labour, with Prime Minister Starmer facing mounting internal pressure following poor local and regional election results earlier this month. The party lost numerous council seats to the hard-right Reform UK and the Green Party, intensifying scrutiny of his leadership.
The political fallout has included the resignation of Health Secretary Wes Streeting and four junior ministers, while around 90 Labour MPs have reportedly called for Starmer to step aside or set a timeline for his departure.
However, more than 100 Labour lawmakers have opposed a leadership change, and Starmer continues to retain the backing of most of his cabinet, underscoring divisions within the ruling party.
Burnham, a former Labour MP and cabinet minister who served from 2001 to 2017, has been vocal about the need for reform within the party. He recently said that voting for him would represent a push to “change Labour” and unveiled a campaign video calling for a “new path for Britain.”
Despite his profile, Burnham faces a competitive race in Makerfield, where Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon, a local plumber, is expected to mount a strong challenge.
The seat was previously held by Josh Simons, who won it by just over 5,000 votes in the 2024 general election. However, Reform UK made significant gains in the area during the May 7 local elections, winning all wards in the constituency.
The outcome of the June 18 by-election is now being closely watched as a potential turning point in the internal power dynamics of the Labour Party and the broader direction of UK politics.
