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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Jill Lawless

Labour's Andy Burnham wins a special election, setting up a showdown with Starmer

Andy Burnham Sir Keir Starmer
Britain Pivotal Election - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Labour’s Andy Burnham, the popular Greater Manchester mayor, has won a special election for a seat in Parliament that puts him in a position to challenge embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the leadership.

Burnham won the contest in Makerfield, northwest England, over Rob Kenyon of the anti-immigration party Reform UK.

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