Burnham wins Makerfield landslide and warns Labour has 'no second chance'

Andy Burnham will return to Westminster on Monday after a landslide by-election victory in Makerfield, winning 24,927 votes and a majority of 9,231 as Reform UK's Robert Kenyon trailed far behind with 15,696. In his victory speech, Burnham declared the result a “turning point” that “will bring about a country that works fairly for everywhere and for everybody”, adding: “I promise to lead by example from the front. I will focus on problem-solving rather than point-scoring, and I will work hard after this by-election to heal the divisions of this campaign and let it be really understood that I will be your MP, however you voted.” The win opens the way for Burnham to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership, something he has previously said he will do. The Prime Minister, who has repeatedly insisted he will not stand down and will fight any challenge, had offered Burnham a “big” job in his government if he won. But Burnham's allies dismissed the offer, saying “the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government's failings”. The by-election campaign was marred by what Burnham called a “desperate” smear attempt from Reform UK, which accused him of breaking lockdown rules in June 2021. The party claimed the fire brigade had been called to Burnham's house, finding him, his wife, two daughters and at least two other teenagers – at a time when the rules limited gatherings to six people from no more than two households. Greater Manchester Police investigated but said the time limit for action had expired and took no further steps. Sources close to Burnham described the allegation as a “desperate” attempt to influence the vote. Behind the scenes, the contest has escalated tensions within Labour. According to the Guardian, several cabinet ministers had to be talked out of resigning early by Burnham's camp to prevent the government descending into chaos before the by-election. Burnham supporters within the government had intended to quit early to pressure Starmer into making way. Wes Streeting, the former health secretary who resigned to launch a prospective Labour leadership bid, met Burnham while campaigning in Makerfield on Monday. Streeting has indicated he would be willing to trigger a leadership race. Lisa Nandy added her voice to the calls for Burnham to be heard “at top of politics” if he won. Burnham himself framed the election as a “vote to change politics” and vowed to “take that fight as high as I can possibly take it”. With Reform UK losing voters to the more hardline Restore Britain party, according to polls, Burnham's victory may now accelerate the push for a leadership contest.