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UK parliamentary election, key to possible Burnham leadership bid, set for June 18

By Reuters Reuters
A view of a welcoming sign, ahead of the Makerfield by-election, triggered by Labour MP Josh Simons, who resigned as a minister in March, in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Britain, May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja
A view of a welcoming sign, ahead of the Makerfield by-election, triggered by Labour MP Josh Simons, who resigned as a minister in March, in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Britain, May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja Temilade Adelaja Reuters

LONDON - An election for a seat in Britain's parliament, set to be contested by possible Labour Party leadership candidate Andy Burnham, will take place on June 18, Sky News reported on Wednesday.

Burnham, seen as a challenger to embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer, would need to win the seat before launching any formal leadership challenge.

(Reporting by William James, Editing by Sam Tabahriti)

A woman watches a real estate office offert ahead of the Makerfield by-election, triggered by Labour MP Josh Simons, who resigned as a minister in March, in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Britain, May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja
A woman watches a real estate office offert ahead of the Makerfield by-election, triggered by Labour MP Josh Simons, who resigned as a minister in March, in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Britain, May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja Temilade Adelaja REUTERS
People walk along the high street, ahead of the Makerfield by-election, triggered by Labour MP Josh Simons, who resigned as a minister in March, in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Britain, May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja
People walk along the high street, ahead of the Makerfield by-election, triggered by Labour MP Josh Simons, who resigned as a minister in March, in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Britain, May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja Temilade Adelaja REUTERS
A St. George's flag is displayed at a house ahead of the Makerfield by-election, triggered by Labour MP Josh Simons, who resigned as a minister in March, in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Britain, May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja
A St. George's flag is displayed at a house ahead of the Makerfield by-election, triggered by Labour MP Josh Simons, who resigned as a minister in March, in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Britain, May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja Temilade Adelaja REUTERS
A woman walks with a child past a Union Jack flag ahead of the Makerfield by-election, triggered by Labour MP Josh Simons, who resigned as a minister in March, in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Britain, May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja
A woman walks with a child past a Union Jack flag ahead of the Makerfield by-election, triggered by Labour MP Josh Simons, who resigned as a minister in March, in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Britain, May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja Temilade Adelaja REUTERS
People walk along the high street ahead of the Makerfield by-election, triggered by Labour MP Josh Simons, who resigned as a minister in March, in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Britain, May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja
People walk along the high street ahead of the Makerfield by-election, triggered by Labour MP Josh Simons, who resigned as a minister in March, in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Britain, May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja Temilade Adelaja REUTERS
People walk along the high street, ahead of the Makerfield by-election, in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Britain, May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja
People walk along the high street, ahead of the Makerfield by-election, in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Britain, May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja Temilade Adelaja REUTERS

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 8:21 AM.

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