The wannabe Prime Minister is yet to set out what he stands for on key issues

18:26, Sun, Jun 21, 2026 Updated: 18:52, Sun, Jun 21, 2026

Prime Minister Keir Starmer Hosts Metro Mayors At Downing Street

Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham (Image: Getty)

It now appears to be inevitable Sir Keir Starmer will quit as Prime Minister. Whether it’s Monday or later this week, Andy Burnham’s Parliamentary comeback means it's pretty much nailed on that we’ll have our seventh PM in a decade.

But that’s the only certainty you’ll get with the so-called King of the North. That noise you can hear getting louder and louder is the sound of Burnham flip-flopping his way to Westminster. The wannabe leader has spent the last month U-turning on everything from Brexit, letting in more migrants and whether men can use women’s toilets.

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His return, following a nine-year hiatus, was made possible because 24,000 people voted for him in Makerfield.

He may soon be deciding the fortunes of 70 million people. No wonder many are concerned.

The popular belief among some is that Burnham somehow single-handedly rebuilt Manchester during his time as Mayor and that he will do the same to the whole country if he gets the keys to No 10.

Makerfield By-election Count And Declaration

Andy Burnham (middle) at the Makerfield by-election count (Image: Getty)

But what would a Burnham premiership look like? What’s his view on Defence, Foreign Policy and Tax? Taxation - in other words, how much is he going to cost people - is a scary thought for many.

Like night follows day, the Labour Party always hikes taxes. Burnham is unlikely to be any different and will need to set out what he’s got planned quickly.

Most people in the country didn’t vote for him; they voted for the Labour Party with a manifesto led by Starmer. Very soon, they are likely to have their wallets handed over to a stranger.