Burnham wins Makerfield byelection, sets stage for leadership challenge to Starmer
7 verified6 unconfirmed
Labour's Andy Burnham secured a decisive victory in the Makerfield byelection, winning nearly 55% of the vote and defeating Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon by a margin of more than 9,000 votes. The result returns Burnham to Parliament as an MP and positions him as the leading contender to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for leadership of the Labour Party and the country. In his victory speech, Burnham said politics was not working and called the result a potential turning point, though he did not directly name Starmer. Starmer has repeatedly stated he will fight any leadership challenge, but calls for him to set a timetable for departure have come from Labour backbenchers and some senior colleagues. The byelection was triggered after the previous Labour MP, Josh Simons, resigned to allow Burnham to contest the seat. Starmer congratulated Burnham on social media, while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage expressed disappointment with the result and acknowledged the campaign faced setbacks over Kenyon’s past social media posts.
What’s verified
Andy Burnham won the Makerfield byelection with approximately 55% of the vote, defeating Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by a majority of more than 9,000 votes.
Burnham currently serves as mayor of Greater Manchester and will now return to Westminster as a member of Parliament.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he will fight any leadership challenge and has no intention of stepping down.
The byelection was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Josh Simons, allowing Burnham to seek the seat.
Several Labour MPs and allies, including Louise Haigh, have called for an orderly and managed transition from Starmer.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he was disappointed with the result and noted the party’s campaign was affected by Kenyon’s past controversial social media posts.
Wes Streeting resigned as health secretary in May and has said he will run in any leadership contest.
Not yet confirmed
The CBI warned against a “summer of speculation and drift” following the result, according to a single report.
The Fire Brigades Union stated Burnham now has a mandate to “take on Farage,” according to a single report.
The exact number of Labour MPs who have signed a letter calling for Starmer’s departure is reported as 110 by one source, while others refer to “scores” of lawmakers.
One source reports that Starmer offered Burnham a Cabinet post, which Burnham’s allies rejected; other sources do not mention this.
The specific vote totals for the Liberal Democrats, Greens, and Conservatives in Makerfield appear in only one source.
The detail that Burnham was flanked by an independent candidate in a fox costume and Count Binface during the result announcement appears in only one source.
Key figures
Andy Burnham, Keir Starmer, Robert Kenyon, Nigel Farage, Josh Simons, Wes Streeting, Louise Haigh, Lisa Nandy, Rupert Lowe, Ed Davey, Jon Trickett, Simon Opher, Steve Wright
Sources: The Guardian, NPR, NBC News
