Makerfield is a UK parliamentary constituency in Greater Manchester covering Wigan, Leigh and Ince, redrawn in the 2023 boundary review. Labour has held the seat or its predecessors continuously since 1935, and at the 2024 general election Josh Simons won it for Labour with Reform UK in second place.

Key Issues

Leadership springboard

Its by-election launched Burnham's rise

Josh Simons resigned the Makerfield seat on 14 May 2026 so Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham could stand, a prerequisite for entering the Labour leadership contest; the NEC approved his candidacy the following day. Burnham won the by-election on 18 June with 54.8% of the vote, a 9,231-vote majority over Reform UK, in a result that bucked the usual pattern of governing-party by-elections losing support.

Four days later Keir Starmer resigned as Labour leader and prime minister, making the Makerfield result the launchpad for Burnham's move to No 10 on 20 July and, by 23 July, a cabinet built entirely around his own choices.

Common Questions

Did turnout rise in the Makerfield by-election?

Yes. Turnout rose to 58.77% from 52.5% at the 2024 general election, unusual for a governing party's mid-term by-election.Source: event

Why did the Conservatives finish fifth in the Makerfield by-election?

The Conservatives collapsed to fifth place on 2.2% of the vote, behind Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain, as the contest became a personal Labour-Reform battle around Andy Burnham.Source: event

What was the result of the Makerfield by-election?

Andy Burnham won on 18 June 2026 with 24,927 votes (54.8%), a 9,231-vote majority over Reform UK's Rob Kenyon, on turnout up to 58.77%.Source: event

What is the political significance of the Makerfield by-election?

A Burnham win qualifies him to stand in a Labour leadership contest. Burnham leads Starmer 61-39 in Labour member polling, so the result is widely read as a proxy for the party's internal leadership battle.Source: event

Who is standing in the Makerfield by-election?

Labour's Andy Burnham (NEC approved 15 May 2026) and Reform UK's Robert Kenyon are the two main candidates at the 18 June 2026 by-election.Source: event

When is the Makerfield by-election and why was it called?

The Makerfield by-election is on 18 June 2026. It was triggered when Josh Simons resigned the seat on 14 May 2026 to allow Andy Burnham to stand, giving him the parliamentary seat he needs to enter a Labour leadership contest.Source: event

Has Labour always held Makerfield?

Yes. Labour has held Makerfield or its predecessor seats continuously since 1935. At the 2024 general election Josh Simons won with a majority of approximately 8,400.

Where is Makerfield constituency?

Makerfield is a parliamentary constituency covering Wigan, Leigh, and Ince in Greater Manchester, redrawn under the 2023 boundary review.

Why did Josh Simons resign his Makerfield seat?

Simons resigned on 12 May 2026 to create a vacancy for Andy Burnham to stand in the resulting by-election, in what was described as a planned transition.Source: Lowdown uk-elections-2026 U#8

How the World Sees Them

No 10

Did not publicly comment on the NEC decision; Downing Street denied directing the vote.

Andy Burnham

Has publicly stated intention to contest the seat; describes the NEC block as a procedural irregularity that he expects to be overturned.

Local Labour

Wigan and Leigh CLP members broadly supportive of Burnham; the by-election campaign is expected to draw national attention as a proxy leadership test.