"Andy Burnham," former minister and mayor of Manchester, secured a landslide victory in the Makerfield by-election, paving the way for his return to the House of Commons and setting the stage for a leadership challenge against Labour Party leader and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is currently facing a severe crisis of confidence.
Andy Burnham, a senior Labour politician, has sent shockwaves through UK politics after winning the crucial Makerfield by-election in northwest England. Burnham garnered 54.8% of the vote, defeating Robert Kenyon of the Reform UK party—a right-wing populist party led by Nigel Farage—who received 34.5%. Burnham's majority exceeded 9,000 votes, while voter turnout surged to a record 59%.
This decisive win in a traditionally working-class area marks a successful return to Parliament for Burnham, 56, nicknamed the "King of the North" for his three consecutive terms as Manchester's mayor since 2017. It positions him to mount a challenge for the Labour leadership and ultimately the prime ministership from Keir Starmer.
Although Labour under 63-year-old Starmer had won a landslide general election victory over the Conservative Prime Minister 23 months ago, Starmer has since become one of the UK's least popular leaders amid ongoing issues such as policy reversals, criticisms of indecisiveness, and scandal involving the appointment of Peter Mandelson—a former close associate of Jeffrey Epstein—as the British ambassador to Washington.
Discontent intensified following Labour's heavy defeat in recent local elections, prompting about a quarter of Labour MPs to call for Starmer's resignation. Several ministers resigned in protest, while national polls indicate that Reform UK may win the next general election scheduled for 2029.
Consequently, former Makerfield MP Josh Simons stepped down to allow Burnham to contest the by-election and re-enter Parliament to drive the leadership transition. According to Labour Party rules, only current MPs can run for party leader, requiring at least 20% (81) of Labour MPs' support out of more than 400. Burnham is expected to easily secure this backing and is scheduled to be sworn in as an MP on the upcoming Monday.
In his victory speech, Burnham—considered a soft-left politician who supports renationalizing key utilities—issued a stern warning to his party: "This is our last chance to change. We must listen, act, and get it right because there won't be a second chance." He described the result as a turning point to move the country away from the "divisive and bleak politics" seen in the United States.
While Starmer tweeted congratulations to Burnham, praising the "campaign of hope and optimism," he insisted he would not resign easily. However, party elder Harriet Harman advised Starmer, former health secretary Wes Streeting—another leadership contender—and Burnham to negotiate a leadership selection process to avoid intense internal conflict.
If a change in prime minister occurs, the UK would have its seventh prime minister within just ten years, highlighting severe political instability and public anger over failures to improve quality of life, public services, and the prolonged illegal immigration crisis.
/Reuters/ AFP