Andy Burnham has secured a historic victory in the Makerfield by-election, defeating Reform UK's Robert Kenyon and setting the stage for a potential Labour leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester won the crucial vote with 24,927 votes, a significant increase from the 2024 general election, while Kenyon finished second with 15,696 votes. The by-election saw a turnout of 58.75%, up from 52.4% in 2024.
Return to National Politics
Burnham's victory marks his return to national politics for the first time since stepping down as Leigh MP in 2017 to become Greater Manchester Mayor. He is now expected to step down from that role, triggering a new election for the mayoralty.
The result has major implications for the country's political direction, with many analysts predicting Burnham will launch a leadership bid against Prime Minister Keir Starmer. If he does so, he would be the clear favourite to become the new leader of the nation.
Path to Leadership
To challenge for the Labour leadership, Burnham needs nominations from at least 20% of the parliamentary party (81 MPs) and support from 5% of local branches or three party-affiliated groups, including at least two unions. He would then need to win a vote among Labour members, which polling suggests he would.
Reports indicate that several Labour Cabinet ministers who support Burnham had threatened to resign before the by-election but were persuaded against it by Burnham's team to avoid destabilising the party.
If Burnham launches a formal bid, Labour's National Executive Committee will set a timetable for the leadership election. It is thought he could be installed as Prime Minister before the party's annual conference in Liverpool in September.
