Burnham wins Makerfield by-election by wide margin

Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election and took more votes than all his rivals combined.

The seat has returned Labour MPs for decades, but Reform UK led in local elections only weeks ago in towns such as Abram, Hindley, Orrell and Winstanley south of Wigan.

Burnham used the campaign to test the argument that he, unlike Keir Starmer, can defeat Nigel Farage and Reform UK. Supporters say this record makes him the right choice to lead the party and become prime minister.

Burnham's strength against Reform in Greater Manchester is clear. How far that strength reaches beyond the region remains untested.

The by-election stood out from others. Voters chose a new MP after Burnham made clear he wants to become prime minister soon. He campaigned in part against Labour's record in government.

In his victory speech, Burnham said the result could mark a turning point and give the country a final chance to change. He added that the outcome could bring about a country that works for everybody.

Burnham is expected to speak to reporters later in the morning but is not expected to expand on his ambitions beyond what he has already said.

Keir Starmer will also speak. His allies argued during the vote that the national gap between Labour and Reform is normal at this stage of a parliament and that economic growth, migration figures and public-service spending show improvement.

Starmer will now see the size of Burnham's win. It is unclear whether the result will change his stance or prompt more Labour figures to call for him to step down.

If enough colleagues turn against him, Starmer may no longer be able to govern. If they do not, potential successors including Burnham and Wes Streeting will face a choice about when to launch a formal challenge.