Labour candidate Andy Burnham makes a victory speech after he won the election for MP of Makerfield, at the count centre venue, the Edge in Wigan, northwest England on June 19, 2026. Photo: Oli Scarff / AFP / Lehtikuva
International news
Andy Burnham secured a decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election, returning to the House of Commons and placing fresh pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer as divisions within the Labour Party deepen.
The former Greater Manchester mayor won 24,927 votes, taking 54.8 per cent of the vote in the Lancashire constituency. Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon finished second with 15,696 votes, equivalent to 34.5 per cent. Turnout reached 58.8 per cent, exceeding the constituency's participation rate at the 2024 general election.
The result followed the resignation of Labour MP Josh Simons, who stepped down to allow Burnham to seek a return to Westminster. Simons left without any personal or political scandal attached to his departure.
