‘King of the North’ Andy Burnham has swept to victory in the most significant by-election in modern times as he became MP for Makerfield with an emphatic victory over Reform UK’s Rob Kenyon03:09, 19 Jun 2026Updated 03:54, 19 Jun 2026Andy Burnham secured a thumping majority over Reform’s Rob Kenyon(Image: Victoria Jones/Shutterstock)Andy Burnham has emphatically won the Makerfield by-election – clearing a major obstacle on the path to No10.The ‘King of the North’ comfortably saw off controversial Reform candidate Rob Kenyon and secured a return to Westminster after nearly a decade away. He is widely tipped to challenge for the Labour leadership in the coming days or weeks, with Keir Starmer’s position now looking increasingly precarious.In the most consequential by-election in modern history, Mr Burnham stormed home in a constituency that had previously been expected to fall to Nigel Farage’s party. He described the victory as a turning point and said he had “unfinished business” in Westminster.In his victory speech, Mr Burnham said: “Everyone knows that politics isn’t working. Everyone can feel that the country isn’t where it should be. Tonight could, just could, be the turning point.”Nigel Farage’s candidate, Rob Kenyon, was mired in controversy throughout the campaign(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)And he continued: “We can’t make all the great English cities be what they should be without big change at the national level. I always knew one day I would seek to go back to Westminster to complete that unfinished business.”And in a message to his party, Mr Burnham said: “There will be no second chance, but it is a chance now, from this result tonight, to build a new politics based on unity and hope, turning away from the path that takes us to a divided, dark politics of the kind we see in the United States. We must now take this path and put this country back on the right path, and bring people back together and get things working properly again.”And in a rallying cry as he prepares to head back to Westminster, Mr Burnham said: “People here have voted for change. They have voted for more power for the North and everywhere forgotten by Westminster. They have voted for hope. Now let’s give that back to them.”Just last month, Reform won more than 50% of the vote in Makerfield at the local elections. But it fell well short as the Labour candidate secured a thumping majority of more than 9,000 – nearly double the margin achieved in 2024.He picked up 24,937 votes – almost 55% – compared to Mr Kenyon’s 15,696. Rebecca Shepherd, of hard-right party Restore, came in third with 3,111.The extraordinary turnaround came a fortnight after Mr Burham confirmed he would join a leadership race if one is triggered.His allies are now calling for Mr Starmer to step aside. Former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, a key campaigner in Mr Burnham’s camp, said: “I hope that he (Mr Starmer) will consider an orderly and managed transition.”We have said that the party is in an existential crisis and things cannot continue, and it was quite clear after the local elections, unfortunately, that he considered that business as usual would suffice.”And he (Mr Burnham) has potentially shown tonight that what a change Labour Party can bring and how we can beat back the rise of Reform. Because without that optimism and without that on the ballot paper then we will see a Reform Prime Minister at the next general election.”And signalling his hopes of securing the top job, he vowed to bring an end to 40 years of trickle-down economics. In his final campaign speech before polls opened, he said: “For too long Westminster has looked past places like this. Right now, the power is where it should be, in the hands of the people of this area, in the hands of you. It’s right that this place decides what happens next. We have the chance to write a new script for Britain, one based on unity and hope.”A vote for me is a vote to end 40 years of trickle-down economics. It is a vote to bring down water bills, energy bills, to make life more affordable again. It’s a vote to power up the North of England.“We are the only party with the offer of a plan for the future that works for places like this. This is the politics of problem solving, not point scoring.”The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former Labour MP Josh Simons, a former Cabinet Office minister who has been critical of Mr Starmer in recent weeks. Mr Farage pinned his hopes on local plumber Mr Kenyon, but the campaign quickly became mired in controversy when troubling social media posts – including misogynistic and seemingly homophobic comments – came to light.These included an endorsement of a vile sexual remark about Carol Vorderman, which he steadfastly refused to apologise for. The former Countdown host branded Mr Kenyon a disgusting online abuser in an interview with The Mirror last month.Mr Burnham is expected to challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)In order to mount a leadership challenge, a Labour MP would need to secure the support of 81 colleagues. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said he plans to stand, while former armed forces minister Al Carns – who quit the government in protest over defence spending last week – is also expected to throw his name in the hat.Mr Burnham told BBC Question Time on June 5: “I’m not somebody who gets ahead of myself. I can’t do anything unless I’m lucky enough to get the support of people here. But if I get your support, I would seek to represent you at the highest possible level and give this constituency maximum power and influence.”I think Wes Streeting seems to have launched a leadership contest, so if that is running, I would seek to join it. But I’d have to persuade members of the Parliamentary Labour Party to do the same. So that’s the only question… I’ve said to my team, let’s have a proper look at this and let’s develop a policy.”Mr Burnham was MP for Leigh in Greater Manchester between 2001 and 2017. He quit to become Mayor of Greater Manchester, a post he has held for nearly a decade. His victory means Labour faces another big battle to keep hold of the crucial post, with Reform and the Greens – and potentially Restore – set to mount a significant challenge.During his 16 years in Parliament, Mr Burnham was Health Secretary, Culture Secretary and Chief Secretary to the Treasury under Gordon Brown. He was also a junior Home Office minister and health minister under Tony Blair.And after Labour were voted out, he served as Shadow Education Secretary and Shadow Health Secretary under Ed Miliband, as well as Shadow Home Secretary under Jeremy Corbyn. Many within the Labour fold have come to view Mr Burnham as a potential saviour figure. He’s unsullied by the difficult last two years, but has a record of holding top jobs.Follow our live blog for the latest politics news by clicking here.
