Andy Burnham was sworn in as the Member of Parliament for Makerfield on Monday, June 22, 2026 [1].
Burnham's entry into Parliament comes at a pivotal moment for the Labour Party. His swearing-in follows the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer as both prime minister and leader of the Labour Party, which triggered the by-election in the Makerfield constituency [2].
The ceremony took place at the House of Commons in London [3]. Burnham, who previously served as the mayor of Manchester, won the seat to succeed Starmer [2].
"I am honoured to serve the people of Makerfield," Burnham said in a statement to Sky News [4].
Burnham also addressed the departure of his predecessor via social media. "I thank Sir Keir Starmer for his huge service to our country," he said in a post on X [5].
The transition marks a significant shift in the party's leadership landscape. Observers have noted the speed of the transition, with some reporting that the path is clearing for a coronation of the former Manchester mayor [6].
Burnham now takes his seat in the House of Commons as the representative for Makerfield, coinciding with the broader political realignment following the vacancy of the prime minister's office [1].
“I am honoured to serve the people of Makerfield.”
The swearing-in of Andy Burnham is more than a routine by-election result; it positions a high-profile political figure with executive experience as the mayor of Manchester directly into the legislative heart of the UK. Coming immediately after Sir Keir Starmer's resignation, Burnham's entry into the Commons suggests he is being positioned as a primary contender for the future leadership of the Labour Party and potentially the premiership.
