Andy Burnham declared Labour had a 'final chance to change' after his decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election, setting the stage for a confrontation with Sir Keir Starmer. Allies of Mr Burnham urged the Prime Minister to step aside following a result that defied national trends and increased Labour's vote share in a seat where Reform UK had made significant gains in recent local elections.
Victory and Reaction
The Prime Minister, who has repeatedly stated he will not resign and will contest any leadership challenge, congratulated his rival on social media: 'Congratulations, @AndyBurnhamGM, Labour's new MP for Makerfield. Voters chose Labour's campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate.'
Mr Burnham defeated Reform UK's Robert Kenyon by 9,231 votes, up from 5,399 in 2024, with Labour's vote share increasing by 9.61%. In his victory speech, he urged his party to act now, warning there would be no second chance.
Speech Highlights
'Everyone knows that politics isn't working. Everyone can feel that the country isn't where it should be. Tonight could, just could, be the turning point,' he said. Addressing Labour MPs directly, he added: 'I do say to my own party: this is a final chance to change. This is what people said directly to me on the hundreds of doorsteps that I stood on. We must hear it, we must act upon it and we must get it right. There will be no second chance.'
Mr Burnham gave up the Greater Manchester mayoralty to become Makerfield MP, winning the seat vacated by Josh Simons to return to Westminster and pursue his ambition to become prime minister. Addressing claims that he was only seeking the seat for personal gain, he said: 'It will never be a stepping stone to me, but instead will be my touchstone. A Makerfield test at the heart of British politics will make sure that the places Westminster has neglected will now get fairness.'
Support from Cabinet
Cabinet minister Lisa Nandy expressed her desire to see Mr Burnham 'back at the top table'. The Culture Secretary stated: 'What Andy's shown here is that there is something that he brings, a willingness to go out and fight for the change that people need, to take on any system and any person who stands in the way and to be bold and to wear his heart on his sleeve, and people have responded. I think that with him back in the top team, at the top table, helping to drive that change, I think we'll be in a really strong position.'
Mr Burnham has indicated he will not accept a job in Sir Keir's Government. He is not expected to launch an immediate leadership challenge, instead hoping Sir Keir will conclude he must give up the keys to No 10. Mr Burnham's supporters believe the scale of his victory will increase pressure on Sir Keir to stand down.
Pressure on Starmer
Former cabinet minister Louise Haigh urged the Prime Minister to outline an 'orderly and managed transition' of power. She told the BBC she hoped Sir Keir will 'do what's best for both the country and the Labour Party'. However, the Prime Minister has repeatedly insisted he has no intention of leaving No 10 and is understood to have amassed a war chest to fund his campaign against any leadership challenge, as first reported by The Times. He has backing from a group of private donors, with fundraising ramping up in the last two days and total pledges running into six figures, sources said.
Mr Burnham has indicated he would join a leadership contest if one is triggered, which would require 81 MPs to line up behind a candidate. Former health secretary Wes Streeting has suggested he would be willing to fire the starting gun for a contest if Sir Keir does not stand down.
Other By-Election Results
In the other Westminster by-elections, the Conservatives secured victory in Aberdeen South, with Douglas Lumsden taking the seat vacated by the SNP's former Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, who won election to the Scottish Parliament in May. In Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, the SNP's Lara Bird held the seat vacated when Stephen Gethins became an MSP.
