Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield parliamentary by-election, cementing his return to Westminster and paving the way for a potential move into Number 10. The Labour candidate won the Greater Manchester seat with a whopping 24,927 votes. Reform UK's candidate Robert Kenyon came in second place with 15,696 votes, while Restore Britain's Rebecca Shepherd took third place with 3,111 votes.
High Turnout and Voter Engagement
The turnout for the by-election was remarkably high with 58.75 per cent of eligible voters casting a ballot. A total of 45,510 votes were cast from an eligible population of 77,462.
Victory Speech and Future Plans
In his victory speech, Mr Burnham said Labour had a "final chance to change" and that there would "be no second chance". He said the result would "bring about a country that works fairly for everywhere and for everybody". His by-election win means he is no longer the mayor of Greater Manchester. Mr Burnham said it is "with some sadness" that he gives up the role, but he "always knew" he would seek to go back to Westminster eventually. “This city region has given so much to me," he said. "It is a wrench to leave the job I love." A mayoral contest will take place in July to elect his replacement.
Leadership Speculation
Mr Burnham is the current favourite for replacing Sir Keir Starmer, who has faced repeated calls to resign since disastrous local election results in May. However, reports suggest Mr Burnham is holding off from formally launching a challenge to Sir Keir's leadership, which would trigger a leadership contest, hoping instead that Sir Keir steps aside.
In a message on X, the prime minister sent his congratulations to Makerfield's new MP. He wrote: "Voters chose Labour’s campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate."
