Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe Makerfield by-election is deemed the most significant in decades, potentially determining the next Prime Minister. Labour candidate Andy Burnham is widely anticipated to win the by-election, scheduled for Thursday. Impatient Labour MPs are pressing Burnham to launch a leadership bid against Sir Keir Starmer swiftly if he secures his return to Westminster. Despite Sir Keir Starmer offering him a government role, sources close to Burnham suggest he will decline, indicating his readiness to challenge for the leadership. Polling data predicts a comfortable victory for Burnham, with a Labour defeat, especially to Reform, being viewed as catastrophic for the party and Sir Keir's leadership. In fullLabour MPs urge Burnham not to delay challenge to Starmer if he wins Makerfield by-electionThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAndy Burnham will not accept a position in…

The most important by-election in decades could be the first in history to decide who is prime minister – with the fate of the government in the hands of an electorate of 76,641…

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Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleVoters in Makerfield, north-west England,…

The Greater Manchester mayor has spent the past four weeks campaigning as Labour's candidate in the seat as he seeks a return to the House of Commons.

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Andy Burnham, a British Labour lifer, is soon expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the country's top job, after re-entering the House of Commons via a by-election.

Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by-election, positioning himself for a Labour leadership challenge. Leadership challenge by 2026 at 90% NO.

The veteran Labour politician will return to the Commons after his by-election victory in Makerfield

Former Manchester mayor had made it clear he would challenge Sir Keir Starmer if he won the Makerfield by-election

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Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election, defeating Reform UK by more than 9,000 votes with nearly 55% of the vote.

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAndy Burnham secured a decisive victory in…

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleSir Keir Starmer has pledged to participate…

Andy Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election has paved the way for a leadership challenge against Sir Keir Starmer

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAndy Burnham, following his victory in the…

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Andy Burnham has won a landslide victory over Reform UK in the Makerfield by-election, a result allies say opens the door for him to formally challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the…