Andy Burnham was sworn in as the Member of Parliament for Makerfield in the House of Commons on June 22, 2026 [1].
The event signals a shift in the Labour Party's internal dynamics following the resignation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Burnham is viewed as a potential challenger for the party leadership, making his entry into Parliament a focal point for political rivals.
The swearing-in ceremony was interrupted by other MPs who heckled Burnham with a series of chants. Some members shouted, "He's not the Messiah," while others yelled, "Rome is saved," reports said [2, 3]. The phrases are references to a famous Monty Python sketch.
Burnham, who previously served as the mayor of Greater Manchester, won the Makerfield seat in the wake of Starmer's departure from office [4, 5]. The mockery from his colleagues reflects the tension surrounding the race for the next Labour leader.
Burnham laughed off the heckling as he took his oath in Westminster [3]. Despite the atmosphere in the chamber, his transition from local government to national legislation marks a significant step in his political trajectory.
Observers note that the timing of his arrival coincides with a period of instability within the party. The chants served as a public, albeit comedic, acknowledgment of the ambitions Burnham is believed to hold regarding the prime minister's office [4, 5].
“"He's not the Messiah"”
The heckling of Andy Burnham highlights the immediate factional friction within the Labour Party following Keir Starmer's resignation. By using satire to mock Burnham's perceived ambitions, his opponents are attempting to frame his leadership aspirations as grandiose or premature. His entry into the House of Commons transforms him from a regional power player into a direct contender for national leadership.
