Burnham calls for new path for Britain as Starmer vows to fight leadership challenge
15 reported3 unconfirmed
Andy Burnham, after winning the Makerfield byelection with a majority of 9,231 votes, called it the "last chance" to change the country and to "lay out a new path for Britain." Keir Starmer insisted he will stand in a Labour leadership contest if one is triggered, with Downing Street stating there is no vacancy for prime minister. Allies of Burnham and Wes Streeting plan to ask cabinet ministers and Labour figures to persuade Starmer not to fight a challenge. Burnham is expected to travel to London on Monday to meet MPs. Louise Haigh, who managed Burnham's campaign, said a leadership campaign is ready if Starmer refuses to move. The byelection saw Labour win 55% of the vote to Reform UK's 35%, with turnout at 59% and 45,510 votes cast.
What’s reported
Andy Burnham won the Makerfield byelection with a majority of 9,231 votes over Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon.
Labour won 55% of the vote; Reform UK won 35%; Restore Britain won 7%.
Turnout was 59%, up six percentage points from the general election, with 45,510 votes cast.
Burnham called the win the "last chance" to change the country and to "lay out a new path for Britain."
Keir Starmer said he will stand in a Labour leadership contest if one is triggered.
Downing Street said there is no vacancy for prime minister.
Allies of Burnham and Wes Streeting will ask cabinet ministers and Labour figures to persuade Starmer not to fight a challenge.
Burnham is expected to travel to London on Monday to meet MPs.
Louise Haigh said a leadership campaign is ready if Starmer refuses to move.
Nigel Farage said he is "disappointed" about the result and urged some supporters who defected to Restore Britain to "think again."
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Labour is "obsessed" with internal party "drama" and challenged Starmer to focus on energy and national security.
Micheál Martin, the taoiseach, congratulated Burnham on his victory.
The SNP leader John Swinney said the party will "consider the implications" of its defeat in the Aberdeen South by-election.
Labour will announce its candidate for the Greater Manchester mayoral byelection on 26 June.
The Green party will unveil its candidate for the Greater Manchester mayoral byelection tomorrow afternoon.
Open questions
Whether Keir Starmer will face a formal leadership challenge.
Whether any ministerial resignations will occur on Friday.
Whether Burnham will directly call for Starmer to step down.
Key figures
Andy Burnham, new MP for Makerfield, former mayor of Greater Manchester
Keir Starmer, prime minister
Robert Kenyon, Reform UK candidate in Makerfield
Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader
Kemi Badenoch, Conservative leader
John Swinney, SNP leader
Micheál Martin, taoiseach (Irish PM)
Louise Haigh, former transport secretary, Burnham campaign manager
Zubir Ahmed, MP for Glasgow South West, former health minister
Steve Wright, general-secretary of the Fire Brigades Union
Peter Kellner, veteran pollster
Zack Polanski, Green party figure
Geraldine Coggins, leader of the Greens on Trafford council (believed favourite for mayoral candidate)
Beth Rigby, Sky News political editor
Sources: The Guardian
