Makerfield Shakes Up UK Politics: Andy Burnham's Crushing By-election Victory Sends Shockwaves
Andy Burnham's decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election paves the way for a challenge to Keir Starmer's Labour leadership. His win automatically triggers a mayoral by-election in Greater Manchester, while Reform UK attributes its defeat to tactical voting against Starmer. The outcome is seen as a significant turning point in British politics.
Andy Burnham has secured a decisive and 'seismic' victory in the Makerfield by-election, triumphing with a significant majority that has set the stage for a potential challenge to Keir Starmer's leadership of the Labour Party and the prime ministership. The former Greater Manchester mayor won 24,927 votes, representing 54.82% of the total, comfortably beating Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon, who secured 15,696 votes (34.51%). The hardline Restore Britain party, with Rebecca Shepherd as candidate, came in a distant third with 3,111 votes (6.84%). Burnham's majority of 9,231 votes was a notable increase from the 2024 general election result, where the previous Labour MP, Josh Simons, won by 5,399 votes.
The by-election saw a robust turnout of 58.75%, with 45,510 votes cast from an eligible population of 77,462, marking a six-percentage-point increase on the 2024 general election and the second-largest by-election turnout since 2000. This high engagement was partly attributed to a significant collapse in support for the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and Greens, who collectively secured only 3% of the vote, down from 22% in 2024, indicating effective tactical voting against Reform UK.
In his impassioned victory speech, Burnham declared the result