UK politician Andy Burnham has won the election as the Member of Parliament for Makerfield, potentially challenging British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the leadership of the governing Labour Party.

Background

Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, is widely seen as the Labour politician best placed to unseat the embattled Prime Minister. The by-election was triggered to provide a path to 10 Downing Street for Burnham.

With all votes counted, Burnham said, “Everyone knows that politics isn’t working. Everyone can feel that the country isn’t where it should be. Tonight could just be the turning point,” adding that it was a “chance to build a new politics built on unity and hope.”

Burnham, a former cabinet minister, now re-enters parliament at a pivotal moment for his party. Since winning a landslide victory in 2024, the center-left party under Starmer has suffered a precipitous drop in popularity.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.