London (United Kingdom), 19 June (LaPresse) – Andy Burnham has won the by-election in the Makerfield constituency, in the north-west of England, securing a seat in the House of Commons and strengthening his position as the leading contender to succeed British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Burnham, the current Mayor of Greater Manchester, defeated Reform UK candidate Rob Kenyon, securing almost 55 per cent of the votes cast and a lead of over 9,000 votes. In his victory speech, Burnham made no secret of his national ambitions: “Everyone knows that politics isn’t working. Everyone senses that the country is not where it should be. Tonight could be the turning point.” Dubbed by some observers the ‘King of the North’, the 50-year-old politician has led Manchester since 2017 and now aims to roll out the administrative model he himself calls ‘Manchesterism’ at a national level. Thanks to his victory in Makerfield, Burnham will return to the House of Commons in the coming days. According to several political observers, he may request a meeting with Starmer to discuss a possible handover of the party leadership. Some Labour figures close to Burnham have already called on the Prime Minister to consider an orderly handover. Among them is Louise Haigh, who has called for an agreement between the two leaders to ensure stability for the party and the country. The race for the Labour leadership could therefore soon be in full swing.
United Kingdom: Burnham wins by-election and challenges Starmer
London (United Kingdom), 19 June (LaPresse) – Andy Burnham has won the by-election in the Makerfield constituency, in the north-west of England, securing a seat in the House of Commons and strengthening his position as the leading contender to succeed British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Burnham, the current Mayor of Greater Manchester, defeated Reform UK candidate Rob Kenyon, securing almost 55 per cent of the votes cast and a lead of over 9,000 votes. In his victory speech, Burnham made no secret of his national ambitions: “Everyone knows that politics isn’t working. Everyone senses that the country is not where it should be. Tonight could be the turning point.” Dubbed by some observers the ‘King of the North’, the 50-year-old politician has led Manchester since 2017 and now aims to roll out the administrative model he himself calls ‘Manchesterism’ at a national level. Thanks to his victory in Makerfield, Burnham will return to the House of Commons in the coming days. According to several political observers, he may request a meeting with Starmer to discuss a possible handover of the party leadership. Some Labour figures close to Burnham have already called on the Prime Minister to consider an orderly handover. Among them is Louise Haigh, who has called for an agreement between the two leaders to ensure stability for the party and the country. The race for the Labour leadership could therefore soon be in full swing.
