LABOUR’S ANDY BURNHAM has won the Makerfield byelection, securing a return to Westminster in a result that is expected to intensify speculation about the future of British prime minister Keir Starmer.
The Greater Manchester mayor defeated Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon after a campaign that evolved into one of the most consequential byelections in recent British political history.
Burnham won almost 25,000 votes, beating Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by more than 9,000 votes.
The contest was closely watched because a Burnham victory is expected to strengthen his position as a potential future Labour leader, while defeat would have raised fresh questions about Starmer’s grip on the party.
Burnham made no secret of his ambition to challenge Starmer for the Labour leadership, and therefore the job of prime minister, if he won the seat.
Speaking after the result was announced, Burnham said Labour had a “final chance to change”.
“Everyone knows that politics isn’t working,” Burnham said.
“Everyone can feel that the country isn’t where it should be. Tonight could, just could, be the turning point.”
Starmer, who has insisted he will not quit and will fight any leadership challenge, praised Burnham’s victory, writing on social media that “voters chose Labour’s campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate.”
Burnham gave up the Greater Manchester mayoralty by becoming Makerfield MP, winning the seat that was vacated by Josh Simons to allow him the chance of returning to Westminster and seek to become prime minister.
In an attempt at addressing the assertion that he was only seeking to become Makerfield’s MP to further his own ambitions, 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.”
UK culture secretary minister Lisa Nandy said she wanted Burnham “back at the top table”.
“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,” Nandy said.
“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.”
The result is also likely to spark debate on the British right, where Reform UK’s challenge was complicated by the presence of Rupert Lowe’s rival party, Restore Britain.
Polling during the campaign suggested the insurgent movement was drawing support from voters who might otherwise have backed Reform, raising concerns about a split right-wing vote – though even the two parties’ combined vote numbered less than Burnham’s tally.