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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
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RFI

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

Sir Keir Starmer Andy Burnham United Kingdom Reform Jon Super Nigel Farage Robert Kenyon Wes Streeting Makerfield
A member of the Loony Party watches as Labour party's Andy Burnham speaks after winning the Makerfield by-election, 19 June, 2026.
A member of the Loony Party watches as Labour party's Andy Burnham speaks after winning the Makerfield by-election, 19 June, 2026. AP Photo/Jon Super - Jon Super

Wigan (United Kingdom) (AFP) – 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.

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