‘I’m not a Labour fan but I like Burnham’: relief in Makerfield among left, right and centre

In numbers: How Andy Burnham stormed to victory in Makerfield

Andy Burnham wins Makerfield with 55%, taking 24,937 votes vs Reform UK's 15,696 despite region's recent populist pivot. His personal appeal reverses local trend and strengthens his position to challenge Labour leadership, signaling voter allegiance to individual candidates over ideology.