Starmer Rival Wins By-Election, Paving Way for Leadership Challenge

Burnham said that he wanted to lead Britain away from what he termed the ‘divisions’ in the country.

Andy Burnham, the UK's Labour candidate for Makerfield, speaks in front of supporters during the by-election in Makerfield, England, on June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Jon Super

Labour party favorite Andy Burnham cleared a path to ousting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday after winning a parliamentary seat in the north of England.

The former mayor of Greater Manchester won the seat by a clear majority over Reform UK, with his return to national politics expected to spark a leadership challenge to the under-pressure Starmer.