Burnham, a former government minister who quit Westminster nine years ago to take the Manchester mayoralty, has pitched himself further to the left of Starmer, but his policy platform remains vague.
Starmer has struggled in the polls since winning a landslide in 2024, but has insisted he will fight any challenge from Burnham. The incumbent prime minister’s cabinet will now be closely watched for signs they could move against him in a bid to speed up an exit.
While the right-wing populist Reform UK tops national polls, the party’s bruising in Makerfield is a setback to Nigel Farage’s own plans to run Britain. The Trump ally’s party has faced its own challenge on the right from the smaller Restore Britain.
In the event, Burnham beat the combined vote for both right-wing parties in a constituency seen as unfavorable to Labour in recent years — a win that should put wind in the sails of his campaign for the top job. The timing of Burnham’s expected challenge to Starmer is still unclear, although a key ally, Louise Haigh, said Friday morning that she hopes Starmer will opt for an “orderly” transition from office.
Turnout in Makerfield stood at 58.75 percent, up sharply from the 52.5 percent at the 2024 general election, and bucking the trend for by-elections, which are generally much more minor events in the British political calendar.
A fresh by-election will be meanwhile triggered in Greater Manchester to replace Burnham as mayor because MPs are disqualified from serving as elected regional mayors.
This developing story is being updated.