Andy Burnham has emphatically won the Makerfield by-election, clearing a major obstacle on the path to No10. The 'King of the North' saw off controversial Reform candidate Rob Kenyon and secured a return to Westminster after nearly a decade away. He is widely tipped to challenge for the Labour leadership in the coming days or weeks, with Keir Starmer's position now looking increasingly precarious.
Burnham's speech was briefly hijacked by other candidates, causing him to exit the stage. On his return after one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history, Burnham said: "Firstly can I thank everybody who has made this election run so smoothly and safely."
"Everyone knows that politics isn't working, everyone can feel that the country isn't where it should be," he added. "Tonight could just could be the turning point. From here on, I will give everything I have got to make it so, to ensure the name Makerfield is forever synonymous with bringing about the change this country needs, bringing back something we've lost. Hope. Hope for the future."
He continued: "I am proud that this place has shone in the world's spotlight these last five weeks and the warmth, humour and hospitality of its people has been on show for all to see. It will never be a stepping stone to me, but instead will be my touch stone, a Makerfield test. At the heart of British politics will ensure the places Westminster has neglected will now get fairness."
Burnham promised: "I will lead by example from the front. I will focus on problem-solving rather than point-scoring, and I will work hard after this by-election to heal the divisions of this campaign and let it be really understood that I will be your MP, however you voted."
Addressing the challenges facing the Labour Party, the newly elected MP said: "When this borough went to the polls in May, it made a loud cry for change. In this campaign, we have begun to answer that. But I do say to my own party, 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."
He warned: "There will be no second chance, but it is a chance now, from this result tonight, to build a new politics based on unity and hope, turning away from the path that takes us to a divided, dark politics of the kind we see in the United States. We must now take this path and put this country back on the right path, and bring people back together and get things working properly again."
Burnham noted it was "with some sadness" that he would be leaving his role as mayor of Greater Manchester as he returns to Westminster. Concluding his speech, he said: "This result will bring about a country that works fairly for everywhere and for everybody. People here have voted for change. They have voted for more power for the North and everywhere forgotten by Westminster. They have voted for hope. Now let's give that back to them."
