19/06/2026 13:44 - Internacionales
Político británico de mediana edad con traje oscuro y corbata roja dando un discurso victorioso en un estadio cubierto con banderas laboristas rojas y multitud aplaudiendo
The days of Sir Keir Starmer as UK Prime Minister may be numbered. His Labour colleague and rival, Andy Burnham, triumphed in the by-election on June 18, 2026 in the northern constituency of Makerfield, securing 55% of the vote, well ahead of the Reform UK candidate (the right-wing populist party), who secured 35%.
This apparent victory is actually an existential threat to Starmer: Burnham returns to Parliament after nearly a decade away (while serving as Mayor of Greater Manchester) specifically to challenge his leadership of the Labour Party, and by extension, the position of Prime Minister.
The British political system allows any Labour MP with support from 20% of the party's parliamentarians to trigger internal elections. If this happens:
The most popular Labour politician among both party members and the general British public. His management of Greater Manchester is widely considered successful.
Weaknesses: His two previous attempts to lead the party failed, and he has struggled on the national political stage, sending contradictory messages on important issues like public finances.
Burnham served as MP for Leigh from 2001-2017 before becoming Mayor of Greater Manchester, a position similar to a state governor in other countries.
The former Health Secretary (a cabinet-level position overseeing the NHS) resigned from government. A centrist, he could force the situation by publishing his list of supporters and initiating formal election proceedings.
Strategy: He could accelerate the challenge, while Burnham prefers Starmer resign voluntarily and establish an orderly transition timeline.
Streeting represents Ilford North in London and has been seen as a rising star in Labour politics.
Burnham's team has informed the press they won't engage in leadership maneuvers for at least a few days. Their preference is for Starmer to resign voluntarily and establish a transition timeline lasting only a few weeks.
However, three scenarios are possible:
| Scenario | Description | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| Voluntary Resignation | Starmer steps down allowing orderly transition | Medium |
| Formal Challenge | Streeting or Burnham gather 20% parliamentary support | High |
| Starmer's Ultimatum | "Support me or sack me" approach | Low |
The British government faces weeks of uncertainty that may not resolve before the Labour Party's annual conference in September 2026. With his position threatened, Starmer will arrive weakened at:
The UK's political stability has implications for global security cooperation, particularly regarding Ukraine policy and Middle East diplomacy.
Nigel Farage's supporters lament their defeat. Makerfield should have been fertile ground for populists, but they couldn't overcome Burnham's charisma. They secured 35% of the vote.
A new far-right party obtained 7% of votes promising to deport millions of immigrants living legally in Britain. Farage is already adopting tougher rhetoric to counter this threat.
Showed promising signs by winning a by-election in the Scottish constituency of Aberdeen South, defeating the Scottish National Party. First Conservative by-election victory in Scotland in over half a century.
While Westminster has been obsessed with "Makerfield," there's actually no such community. A 16-kilometer tour through the constituency reveals a disconnected collection of suburbs, towns, villages, and fields on the outskirts of Wigan, with no collective identity.
"Britain's political future has been determined around a place that doesn't exist."
The voters' message: For five weeks, citizens were surrounded by activists and journalists. A sign outside a house in Platt Bridge was clear: "Knock on the door and lose our vote."
Makerfield is a parliamentary constituency in North West England, covering towns like Ince-in-Makerfield, Abram, and Hindley — traditionally Labour-supporting working-class areas.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
