The upcoming by-election in Holborn and St Pancras presents a golden opportunity for Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to return to Westminster. But the charismatic Labour figure is not the only one vying for the chance to succeed Keir Starmer as party leader.
With Starmer’s resignation triggering the by-election, the race is on to claim the vacant seat. Burnham, who narrowly lost to Starmer in the 2020 leadership contest, is widely seen as the frontrunner. His successful tenure as Greater Manchester mayor and high-profile advocacy for the North have boosted his national profile. Burnham has refused to rule out a leadership bid, leaving the door open for a potential rematch.
However, he faces stiff competition from a number of other contenders. Lisa Nandy, the shadow levelling up secretary, is also expected to throw her hat in the ring. Nandy, who hails from the party’s left wing, could position herself as a unifying candidate capable of bridging the divide between moderates and progressives.
Likewise, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has been tipped as a potential successor to Starmer. Reeves, a key architect of Labour’s economic policy, would likely position herself as the safe pair of hands needed to restore the party’s credibility on fiscal matters.
Outside of the shadow cabinet, backbenchers such as Jess Phillips and Yvette Cooper have also been mooted as potential candidates. Both women boast significant parliamentary experience and could appeal to Labour members seeking a fresh start.
“Everybody is trying to capitalise on the chaos,” one senior Labour source told The Update Desk. “It’s a free-for-all, with people jockeying for position.”
The by-election, which is expected to be held in the coming months, will be a crucial test for the party. Labour will be under intense pressure to retain the seat, which Starmer held with a comfortable majority of over 26,000 votes in 2019.
A victory for Burnham or another high-profile candidate would undoubtedly boost their chances of succeeding Starmer. But a poor result could plunge Labour into further turmoil, leaving the party searching for a new direction.
With the Conservatives also expected to field a strong candidate, the contest promises to be a closely watched and hard-fought affair. Whichever Labour figure emerges victorious will face the daunting task of uniting the party and taking the fight to Rishi Sunak’s government.
