UK Parliamentary By-Election on 18th Sparks Intensifying Battle for Prime Minister Position

(Central News Agency reporter Chen Yun-yu, London, June 17 special report) The UK parliamentary constituency of Makerfield, located in northwest England, will hold a by-election on June 18. Current expectations favor Labour Party candidate Andy Burnham, former Mayor of Greater Manchester, to win. His victory could significantly impact the race for the prime ministerial position.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's governance performance has repeatedly drawn criticism from the public and party politicians. A series of personnel scandals, including that of former US ambassador Peter Mandelson, have severely damaged Starmer's reputation. Josh Simons, the incumbent Labour MP for Makerfield, announced his resignation in mid-May to vacate the seat and allow Burnham the opportunity to contest the by-election.

Burnham will regain eligibility to run for prime minister upon re-entering Parliament, where he served as MP from 2001 to 2017. Under the UK's cabinet system, holding a parliamentary seat is a prerequisite for becoming prime minister.

This Makerfield by-election is described as one of the most critical in recent UK history. Starmer, whose popularity has clearly declined, faces challenges from within and outside the government. Besides Burnham, Wes Streeting, the former Health Secretary who resigned in mid-May, is also seen as a potential challenger.

Additionally, Al Carns, former Defence Minister who resigned on June 11, is viewed as harboring ambitions for party leadership.

Under the UK's cabinet system, the contest for prime minister is effectively an internal leadership election within the ruling Labour Party. Starmer has repeatedly emphasized that he will fight to the end if a leadership contest is initiated.

Starmer has stated multiple times that he feels a profound sense of responsibility, particularly amid complex and unstable international conditions, warning that unnecessary domestic political turmoil could threaten national security.

However, the sudden resignation on June 11 of John Healey, former Defence Secretary and a cross-party respected figure long seen as highly loyal to the Labour government, has shocked the UK political scene and undermined Starmer's argument that he must remain in power for 'national security'.

In his resignation letter to Starmer, Healey stated that despite delivering strong speeches on security, Starmer has failed to allocate sufficient resources to defend the nation, even as the UK's commitments to allies continue to grow.

Healey warned that without an adequate Defence Investment Plan (DIP) to meet current threats, he would be forced to make decisions that could reduce the readiness of UK armed forces, increase risks for personnel, and 'weaken national security'.

Hours later, Al Carns, a former Royal Marines special forces officer, also resigned.

It remains unclear how soon after Burnham wins a parliamentary seat the Labour leadership election might be triggered, or whether it will necessarily happen.

The Labour Party plans to hold its annual conference at the end of September. The period from June to September is widely seen as critical, determining whether UK politics will face more conflict or move toward stability in the coming years.

Starmer shows no sign of stepping down and continues to emphasize his firm grip on power. Several months ago, he used party mechanisms to block Burnham from contesting another parliamentary by-election in February, seen as an attempt to prevent a leadership challenge. However, just before the Makerfield by-election, Starmer told media that if Burnham wins, he will offer him a significant role in the central government.

Speaking during the G7 summit in France, Starmer described Burnham as a 'valuable asset' who deserves a 'major role' in government, and said he would discuss with him after the by-election results.

Starmer further noted that when he first entered politics in early 2015, he joined Burnham's team. He added that after the Makerfield by-election, if Burnham wins, the party will soon face the crucial Greater Manchester mayoral by-election.

The entire party must focus entirely on this campaign, Starmer said, expressing hope that Burnham will play a pivotal role.

Burnham enjoyed high popularity during his tenure as mayor. Starmer's public offer of a cabinet position, coupled with his hope that Burnham will focus on supporting the Greater Manchester campaign after returning to Parliament, raises questions about how long such appeals and co-option can delay a full-scale leadership battle.

If the UK welcomes a new prime minister this year, it will be the fifth in the past seven years. (Editor: Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150617

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