Political uncertainty in Westminster intensifies as the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee approved Andy Burnham’s candidacy for the Makerfield by‑election scheduled for 18 June 2026, positioning him as a potential “soft left” challenger and possibly triggering a leadership contest.
Main contenders identified include Andy Burnham, centrist Wes Streeting, outsider Al Carns, with additional possibilities such as Angela Rayner and Ed Miliband; Reform UK has shown strong support in recent local elections within the Makerfield constituency.
Brexit has re‑emerged as a central campaign issue: Streeting labelled Brexit a “catastrophic mistake” and advocated re‑joining the EU, while Burnham, who previously expressed a desire for the UK to re‑join within his lifetime, now adopts a cautious tone, stating he does not advocate immediate re‑entry and respects the 2016 referendum result.
Recent polling indicates a majority of British citizens now support re‑joining the EU, and an even larger proportion favour closer alignment with the EU without full membership, aligning with the current government’s stance.
Labour’s official position focuses on improving ties and deepening cooperation with the EU, stopping short of commitments to re‑join the single market, customs union, or full membership; any re‑entry would require unanimous approval from all EU member states and extensive negotiations, likely taking several years and resulting in less favourable terms than previously.
UBS economist Maelle Quillevere notes that the renewed Brexit rhetoric is unlikely to alter the UK’s economic outlook; near‑term market volatility is expected to be driven more by the domestic fiscal trajectory and external factors such as Middle‑East tensions.
