Starmer rival Burnham wins Makerfield as Labour leadership speculation grows
Key takeaways
- Labour's Andy Burnham won the Makerfield parliamentary by-election on Friday, defeating Reform UK candidate Rob Kenyon and returning to Westminster after years as Greater Manchester mayor.
- Issued on: 19/06/2026 - 04:27Modified: 19/06/2026 - 04:29
- By: FRANCE 24 Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham at the launch of his campaign for the June 18 by-election, on May 22, 2026.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Labour's Andy Burnham won the Makerfield parliamentary by-election on Friday, defeating Reform UK candidate Rob Kenyon and returning to Westminster after years as Greater Manchester mayor. The victory strengthens Burnham's position as a potential successor to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as speculation grows over Labour's future leadership.
Issued on: 19/06/2026 - 04:27Modified: 19/06/2026 - 04:29
By: FRANCE 24 Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham at the launch of his campaign for the June 18 by-election, on May 22, 2026. © Paul ELLIS, AFP Labour’s Andy Burnham, the current mayor of Greater Manchester, has won a special election for a seat in Parliament that puts him in a position to challenge embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer.