Andy Burnham has declared his victory in the Makerfield byelection as the "last chance" to change the country and called for a "new path for Britain". The newly elected MP, who defied national trends to increase Labour's share of the vote, is expected to travel to London on Monday to meet MPs amid speculation he could become prime minister within weeks.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, however, has insisted he will stand in any Labour leadership contest. Downing Street stated there is "no vacancy" in Number 10, and Starmer claimed the byelection result showed the tide was turning against Reform UK, saying they had "reached probably the peak of their support".
Burnham's victory has been hailed by the Fire Brigades Union as a mandate to "take on Nigel Farage". FBU general secretary Steve Wright said the result was a win for the Labour movement, which mounted a mass ground campaign involving trade unions.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Labour of being "obsessed" with internal "drama" and urged the government to focus on energy and national security. She also said her party's byelection win in Aberdeen South sent a message in favour of North Sea drilling.
Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin congratulated Burnham, noting his interest in Ireland and his work as mayor of Manchester. Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage expressed disappointment at the result and urged supporters who defected to Restore Britain to "think again".
