The ‘King of the North’ wants to lead Britain. First he must beat the far-right in a special election.

United KingdomThe ‘King of the North’ wants to lead Britain. First he must beat the far-right in a special election.Andy Burnham’s common touch has helped make him the most popular politician in Britain. He says he would challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer as head of the ruling Labour Party if he wins Thursday’s vote.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Labour candidate Andy Burnham in Ashton-in-Makerfield on June 9.Temilade Adelaja / ReutersShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJune 18, 2026, 4:31 AM EDTBy Alexander SmithLONDON — A cluster of post-industrial towns in northwest England might be about to choose the country’s next prime minister.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The people of Makerfield will on Thursday decide whether to vote Andy Burnham — mayor of Greater Manchester, often hailed “King of the North” — back into Parliament. If elected, he says he would challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer as head of the ruling Labour Party — no public vote needed, thanks to the quirks of British politics.Two years after a landslide victory, Starmer is the least popular British leader on record due to a perceived lack of personality, and a series of policy U-turns and scandals -- including appointing a friend of Jeffrey Epstein as ambassador to Washington. Add NBC News to GooglePolitical drama unfolding in the UK that may lead to Prime Minister Starmer being ousted02:17By contrast, Burnham’s common touch and perceived empathy have helped make him the most popular politician in Britain, a country riven by stagnant wages, turbulent politics and the kind of racial tension that erupted in Northern Ireland this month.The sense that most people’s lives are getting worse since Starmer became prime minister hangs over the election and the possible change in leadership.“It’s an absolute mess, this country,” said Peter Thompson, 78, who runs Revolving Records, a vinyl store in Ashton-in-Makerfield. “Everyt...