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1h ago

Andy Burnham Wins Makerfield By-Election

The win gives him a Westminster seat that he can use to seek the 81 Labour MP nominations required to force a formal leadership contest against Keir Starmer.

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Labour party candidate Andy Burnham addresses supporters outside the Labour party campaign office in Ashton in Makerfield, northwest England, on June 18, 2026, as voters go to the polls to vote in the Makerfield by-election. Britain holds a unique vote on June 18 that could trigger the endgame for Labour leader Keir Starmer's beleaguered premiership, or win him a reprieve. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)

Overview

  • The result was declared in the early hours of Friday, June 19, with Burnham on 24,927 votes and Reform UK’s Rob Kenyon on 15,696 while Restore Britain’s Rebecca Shepherd took 3,111 and turnout was about 58.8%.
  • Burnham’s victory returns the former MP and Greater Manchester mayor to Parliament and allows him to petition Labour MPs for the 81 nominations needed to trigger a formal leadership contest under party rules.
  • Reform UK’s strong local performance turned the seat competitive, but Restore Britain’s candidacy split the right‑of‑centre vote and likely reduced Reform’s ceiling on the night.
  • Kenyon’s campaign was weakened during the contest by widely reported misogynistic social media posts, a controversy cited in polling as damaging his appeal to voters.
  • Burnham must resign as Greater Manchester mayor, triggering a mayoral by‑election, and any formal Labour leadership challenge will depend on how many MPs back him and the party’s nomination timetable.