Burnham wins key UK poll, paving way for bid to challenge PM Starmer

Labour party candidate Andy Burnham, front centre, addresses supporters outside the Labour party campaign office in Ashton in Makerfield, northwest England, on June 18, 2026, as voters go to the polls to vote in the Makerfield by-election. Britain holds a unique vote on Thursday that could trigger the endgame for Labour leader Keir Starmer's beleaguered premiership, or win him a reprieve. (Photo: AFP)

WIGAN — Veteran UK Labour politician Andy Burnham emphatically won a crunch by-election on Friday, securing a parliamentary seat and clearing the way for a widely expected leadership challenge against beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Burnham, a former government minister who has been Greater Manchester mayor since 2017, ensured his return to parliament by easily beating the hard-right Reform UK party's candidate in the Makerfield constituency in northwest England.