STORY
Andy Burnham’s allies have said they are increasingly confident that he could replace Keir Starmer without a prolonged Labour leadership contest, following his victory in the Makerfield by-election. Reports said supporters of the new Labour MP believe his parliamentary backing has grown sharply since the result, with some arguing that the party should now move towards an orderly transition.
Burnham won the seat with 54.8 per cent of the vote, defeating Reform UK and returning to the House of Commons after serving as Mayor of Greater Manchester. The result has intensified pressure on Starmer, who has said he will fight any leadership challenge and warned against internal division.
Labour figures remain divided over whether any change of leader should take place through a negotiated handover or a formal contest. Burnham has not formally declared a leadership challenge, but his victory has made him eligible to stand and has turned Labour’s internal debate into the dominant issue at Westminster.