Starmer congratulates Burnham as Makerfield win paves way for leadership contest

Andy Burnham’s allies believe his victory gives him the huge vote of confidence to challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership. Political Correspondent Harry Horton reports from the count in Makerfield

Sir Keir Starmer has congratulated Andy Burnham on his win in Makerfield, saying “voters chose Labour’s campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate”.

The Greater Manchester mayor won more than half of all votes cast in the Makerfield by-election, comfortably beating the combined total for second and third place parties Reform UK and Restore Britain.

His victory marks his return to Westminster and paves the way for a potential showdown with Starmer.

In a speech at the count, Burnham said Labour had a “final chance to change” after winning the by-election by 9,231 votes.

Reform candidate Rob Kenyon won 34.5% of the vote, while Restore Britain’s Rebecca Shepherd won 6.8%, which together come to 41.3%.

Conservative candidate Michael Winstanley won 2.2% of the vote in Makerfield – the Tories’ second lowest share of the vote at a Westminster by-election since the Second World War.

The turnout in Makerfield was 58.7%, the highest for a parliamentary by-election in nearly seven years.

Burnham said he wanted to ensure Makerfield was synonymous with “bringing about the change this country needs, bringing back something we’ve lost – hope – hope for the future.

“I am proud that this place has shone in the world’s spotlight for the last few 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 touchstone.

“A Makerfield test at the heart of British politics will make sure that the places Westminster has neglected will now get fairness.”

The Labour Party has retained the seat after former MP Josh Simons stepped down in May to make way for Burnham’s return to Westminster.

Labour party MP Andy Burnham leaves The Edge in Wigan with his wife Marie-France Van Heel (right) and their daughter Rosie. / Credit: PA

Cabinet minister Lisa Nandy said it was “history in the making” after Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election.

She said: “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.

“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.”

Burnham will now step down from his role as Greater Manchester mayor to take up his seat in the House of Commons.

His return is highly likely to trigger a leadership contest within the Labour Party, but there is no timetable set for when this challenge might be.

Earlier in the week Starmer urged Burnham not to mount a challenge to his leadership / Credit: PA

Makerfield has seen a seismic by-election with the focus being split between local representation and a potential new prime minister.

Speaking earlier this week, Sir Keir Starmer, who has been increasingly unpopular among voters and his own party, said he wanted Burnham to win and, if he is successful, will offer him a big role in government. Burnham, however, has already declined this offer.

Recent polling has shown that through this campaign, Burnham’s popularity has decreased, but remains more favourable than that of other potential challengers, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting.