LONDON — Andy Burnham has decisively won the Makerfield by-election — making him eligible to challenge Keir Starmer for the leadership of Britain’s ruling Labour Party.
He won with 24,927 votes, with his closest rival, Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon, behind on 15,696 votes.
Turnout was 58.75 percent, up sharply from the 52.5 percent at the 2024 general election, and bucking the trend for by-elections.
Burnham can now return to Westminster as an MP after nine years away serving as the mayor of Greater Manchester.
A fresh by-election will be triggered in Greater Manchester to replace him as mayor because MPs are disqualified from serving as elected regional mayors.
This developing story is being updated.