Overview
- Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election with about 55% of the vote (24,927 votes) to Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon on Friday, June 19, 2026, with turnout near 58.8%.
- As the newly elected MP Burnham can now try to secure the 81 Labour MP nominations required under party rules to trigger a leadership contest for Keir Starmer.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated Burnham and said he will not resign and will contest any challenge, while several senior figures including Wes Streeting have said they are prepared to run.
- The by-election was held after Labour MP Josh Simons resigned deliberately to enable Burnham’s return and Burnham will give up his post as Greater Manchester mayor to sit in Westminster.
- If a contest is triggered the nomination phase and a membership ballot could take weeks or months and would deepen Labour’s internal fight while creating new political opportunity for Reform UK and other opponents.