Keir Starmer’s dealt hammer blow as 100 Labour MPs now call on PM to step aside

Makerfield residents deliver verdict on Andy Burnham victory: ‘More left-wing gruel!’

Makerfield residents have delivered their verdict on newly elected MP Andy Burnham.

Speaking to GB News National Reporter Jack Carson, locals offered a mixed reaction to the outgoing Manchester Mayor, with one Briton declaring he is “not for the working man”.

Speaking at a victory rally in Makerfield, the newly elected MP declared it is the Labour Government’s “last chance for change”.

He said: “We’ve been on a path for 40 years that simply hasn’t worked for people and places in this part of the world, and this now is the change moment.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

‘Time’s up!’ Labour big beasts tell Keir Starmer to set out timetable for departure

Some of Labour’s most senior ministers have told Sir Keir Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure following Andy Burnham’s return to Parliament.

In the wake of his rival’s parliamentary win, the Prime Minister is trying to rally supporters to back him in the face of a looming leadership challenge.

Cabinet ministers, including Shabana Mahmood and Ed Miliband, however, are said to be some of those who have told him that his “time is up”, The Times reported.

Keir Starmer brands Reform UK as ‘plastic patriots’ as he unleashes scathing attack

Sir Keir Starmer has branded Reform UK as “plastic patriots” as he continues to fight to save his premiership.

In a call with Labour staff members across the country, the Prime Minister urged the party to “pull together”, “take the fight” to Reform as he predicted, “the tide is turning.”

Speaking on the Greater Manchester Mayoralty contest, Sir Keir said: “It’s a huge by-election, one of the biggest by-elections we’ll ever run. It is really important that we maintain that Labour mayoralty, and that we take Reform on.”

The Prime Minister described the battle against Nigel Farage and Reform as the “fight in politics at the moment.”

He added: “We should relish the opportunity to take the fight to Reform and give them a hiding in Manchester, and frankly, expose them for who they are: divisive, inward, wanting to divide our country, the complete opposite values to us.

“When they see problems, they don’t ask how do we fix this problem, they ask how do we exploit this problem. When they see communities, they don’t look at the great strength of our communities, they think, how can we pull this community apart, how can we set people and individuals and groups against each other?

“That is the complete opposite of us in the Labour Party, who believe in our communities, who believe that by coming together we get the best out of everyone. We are the true patriots, they are plastic patriots.”

“Let’s pull together as a party and a movement. The one thing we’ve got to avoid doing is plunging our party and our country into chaos by turning on each other and tearing apart our party and our movement. That has never worked. That’s what the last government did. We need to learn that lesson.”

Bullish Tories vow ‘fight on right is not over’ and gloat over ‘slow puncture of Reform’

Nigel Farage is facing a renewed fight on the right after Kemi Badenoch’s Conservatives claimed victory in Aberdeen South, Tory sources have told GB News.

The Reform UK leader suffered defeat in Makerfield in the early hours of the morning and admitted he was left “disappointed” by the result.

He is now being warned that Reform UK’s support is falling from its peak.

A Conservative Party veteran told GB News: “We are watching the slow puncture of the Reform balloon.

“They had a 10-point lead over Labour in the polls and won every seat in Makerfield at the locals, but, as they have at the last three by-elections, Reform have lost yet again.

“Farage is ducking press conferences to avoid answering questions about his £5million crypto bung. Yusuf is too chicken to stand as a candidate.”

READ THE FULL STORY EXCLUSIVELY ON GB NEWS

Green Party will unveil Greater Manchester mayoral candidate tomorrow

The Green Party will unveil their candidate for the Greater Manchester mayoral contest tomorrow.

Zack Polanski, the party leader, revealed the Greens had “been getting ready for this one”, describing the race as a battle between the Greens and Reform UK.

He said: “Greater Manchester Mayor is a straight up battle between the Green Party Vs Reform.

“It’s Hope Vs Hate. We’ve been getting ready for this one.”

The Greens co-deputy leader, Rachel Millward, pointed to success in the Gorton and Denton by-elections, showing they “know how to win” in the area.

‘Keir Starmer has to immediately state a timetable for his departure’, says Labour backbencher

A Labour backbencher said the Prime Minister should set out his timetable to exit Downing Street following Andy Burnham’s victory in Makerfield.

Jon Trickett said: “The north’s voice has been heard.

“Andy Burnham’s win in Makerfield is a victory for the Labour movement as a whole which fought a properly organised campaign to defeat the toxic anti-working class politics of the far right.

“In the wake of the by election, it’s clear that Farage and his hard-right acolytes can be defeated.

“However, there can be no more messing about.

“Keir Starmer has to immediately state a timetable for his departure as leader, as he is an obstacle to defeating Farage at the next general election.”

Chair of the ‘Red Wall Caucus’ calls on Starmer to resign

Jo White, the convenor of the Red Wall group of Labour MPs, has called for Sir Keir Starmer to resign.

In a social media post, she said: “This by-election result highlights the country’s demand for a new direction and hope.

“There must now be an orderly change of leadership for the good of our country and the Labour Party.

“Andy Burnham has proved he can deliver the change we need, and that is why I am backing him.”

Keir Starmer outlines next steps after Andy Burnham’s victory and takes huge swipe at Reform

Sir Keir Starmer has said he will stand in a Labour leadership contest against Andy Burnham if the Greater Manchester Mayor triggers a contest when he returns to Westminster next week.

The Prime Minister, who admitted he has not personally spoken to Mr Burnham following his victory, also promised he would not “walk away” from the top job.

Mr Burnham needs the support of 81 Labour colleagues to trigger a leadership contest, and last night insiders revealed he does indeed have those numbers.

The new Makerfield MP intends to present the list of his MPs to Sir Keir to pressure him to step down without a race.

“This is a final chance to change,” Mr Burnham said in his victory speech. “There will be no second chance.”

Following the declaration, Sir Keir also took a veiled swipe at Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

“The tide is turning on Reform,” the Prime Minister said.

“They can’t now win by-elections, they’ve reached probably the peak of their support, and it’s going down.”

Andy Burnham’s victory is more remarkable than you think – Sir John Curtice

On paper, Makerfield was a golden opportunity for Reform. Two-thirds of the constituency’s voters backed Leave in 2016. Reform were 20 points ahead locally in the council elections on May 7.

Polls conducted during the campaign suggested Reform would win quite comfortably if it had been a general election on Thursday.

Yet Labour – or at least Mr Burnham – was triumphant. Reform only barely increased their share of the vote on what the party secured 2024.

We should always be wary of making too much of exceptional by-election results.

However, Mr Burnham’s success in Makerfield provided ample confirmation that the likely challenger for the Labour leadership has a personal appeal that enables him to reach parts of the electorate that Sir Keir Starmer cannot win over.

GB NEWS MEMBERS CAN READ THE FULL ANALYSIS HERE

Kemi Badenoch: ‘We will never stop fighting for oil and gas’

Kemi Badenoch celebrated victory in Aberdeen South | PA

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has hailed the party’s Aberdeen South by-election victory, after Scottish Tory MSP Douglas Lumsden seized the seat from the SNP.

Speaking at a victory rally in Aberdeen, Mrs Badenoch said: “What a journey it has been, and there are so many people to thank, but we have to start by thanking the people of Aberdeen for putting their trust in us. Thank you so much.

“Aberdeen has sent a message to the Labour government and to the SNP that we will not be ignored. Aberdeen will not be ignored. The sector will not be ignored.

“We know that you have put your trust in us, and we know that it wasn’t just Conservative voters who supported us. There were many people who voted Conservative for the first time.

“Many people liked what Douglas had to say, and I want you to know that we will never stop fighting for you.

“We will never stop fighting for oil and gas. We will never stop fighting for your jobs, for your families, for your city. Thank you, Aberdeen, for putting your trust in us.”

WATCH THE FULL CLIP HERE

Keir Starmer is ‘getting on with business’, says No10

There is no vacancy in No 10, Downing Street said as it refused to be drawn on whether any ministerial resignations should be expected on Friday.

Asked whether there was a vacancy for the Prime Minister’s job, his official spokesman said: “No, I think the Prime Minister’s been very clear this morning.”

Asked whether any ministerial resignations should be expected on Friday, the official said: “The Prime Minister is very much getting on with the business of delivering his Government’s agenda, the agenda that stabilised the economy, that’s invested in public services and brought down waiting lists.”

Sir Keir has been “crystal clear for some time now” that he intends to fight any challenge to his leadership, No 10 said.

​Keir Starmer ‘calling Cabinet Ministers for support’

Sir Keir Starmer has been calling Cabinet Ministers this morning to ask if they still back him after Andy Burnham’s victory, according to reports.

The Prime Minister previously admitted he has not personally spoken to Mr Burnham following his victory.

The new Makerfield MP intends to present the list of his MPs to Sir Keir to pressure him to step down without a race.

But Sir Keir has vowed to fight any contest.

Greater Manchester Mayoral election confirmed for July 30

The Greater Manchester Mayoral election has been confirmed for July 30.

The vote was triggered after the outgoing Mayor, Andy Burnham, won the parliamentary by-election for Makerfield.

This automatically disqualified him from continuing as regional mayor.

​Andy Burnham pledges to put power in ‘hands of people’

Andy Burnham has pledged to put power in the “hands of the people”, suggesting he would take power away from Whitehall and Westminster

Mr Burnham said: “The wonderful thing about this by-election, and obviously it came about in very challenging circumstances, but the wonderful thing about this by-election is for the first time in our lifetimes it put power where it should be, in the hands of people here.

“They were the ones who had that power, and they have used it, and they have told us what they want. Now we will deliver it.”

Andy Burnham: ‘I will work on a place first, not a party first basis’

Mr Burnham said: “I will work on a place first, not a party first basis, respecting how people voted… I know they gave me their votes to give me that last chance to do something, and I respect them for doing that.

“We have an opportunity to turn the tide to make the country feel like it’s working again, to make people see that politics can make a positive difference to make people feel hope again.

“That is the main thing I think we need in this country right now for people to feel a sense of hope that there is something better to work towards on the horizon, this election result has opened up the possibility that we can now move forward together towards that future.”

Andy Burnham addresses ‘unfairness of the immigration system’ in victory speech

Mr Burnham said: “I heard on so many doorsteps people’s concerns about the unfairness of the immigration system, that cut-price approach to procurement that means areas like this can end up like HMO Britain.

“It’s not fair that they think that they can just operate like that and not hear the call of people here, the decent people here who always will do the right thing, the compassionate thing, but not when it’s unfair in terms of the way places like this are treated.”

‘We need an economy that works for everybody’ says Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham has pledged to help build an economy that “works for everybody”.

The new Makerfield MP said: “I did talk about the need to change Labour in this campaign; we’ve got to now take this moment to answer the challenges that have been laid down.

“I did describe it last night as a last chance to change, and I think that’s how people here saw it when I was talking to them on the doorsteps, and they said, ‘Well, Andy, maybe we can give you our support this time, but you know it’s not a blank cheque, it’s not ongoing’.

“You have to respond to what people here are saying. You have to do something to make life more affordable, to put more money in people’s pockets, to give people more breathing space again, so that they can have a better life.

“That’s what people were saying, and we must respond to that. We need an economy that works for everybody, not a few in far-off places from here, but an economy that works for people right here.”

Andy Burnham thanks Josh Simons for standing down as MP

Andy Burnham has credited former Makerfield MP, Josh Simons, who stood down.

Mr Simons resigned to allow Mr Burnham to return to Westminster.

Mr Burnham told crowds: “You will all know if you go back to May this part of the world, people here, issued quite a clear call for change. In fact I would say it was more an instruction that things had to change.

“And somebody right here behind me understood how serious that call was, and I’m talking about Josh Simons.

“So it’s something that I want to say Josh to you today, such was the power that people said in early May, you realised this wasn’t and couldn’t be business as usual, it needed a response, it needed a profound response.

“And you did something incredibly selfless in stepping forward, working with me to see how we did respond to what people said.

“It is a significant sacrifice that you and the family made. But I know you did it for all of the right reasons and I think it’s important this morning to put those reasons on the record and to thank you both, your family, publicly for what you did.

“Because it does now open up the space for the real change that the people of this constituency deserve.”

Andy Burnham praises ‘wonderful area’ after by-election win

Andy Burnham has begun speaking at a victory rally following his election as MP for Makerfield.

Addressing crowds on Ashton Town Football Club’s pitch, Mr Burnham said: “What a team, everybody, what a team and what a campaign. Thank you all so much.

“The first thank you I’ve got to do is to the people of this wonderful area who’ve looked after us so well. Stubshaw Cross Community Club, everybody. And how about Ashton Town FC?

“I did score two down here the other night, I thought I’d better mention that.”

He continued: “The thing is the people here obviously have put up with a lot of inconvenience over the last five weeks but they’ve done it with incredible patience and good humour because that’s how people here are.

That’s the kind of character of the people and the place and it really came through in the by-election to the people of all the proud places of the Makerfield constituency. Everything you’re about came through.”

Steve Reed denies Labour’s imminent ‘civil war’ after Andy Burnham victory

Steve Reed has denied Labour is heading for a “civil war” after Andy Burnham’s victory, telling GB News “the best thing we can do is bring all the talent we can together.”

Congratulating Mr Burnham on his win, Mr Reed told the People’s Channel: “I’m delighted that Andy won, really, really pleased and looking forward to welcoming him back here. I’ve known him for years, so he’s going to be a fantastic MP.

“He’s got so much experience to bring from Greater Manchester, but I know what Andy is going to be focusing on because, despite all the speculation, one thing is a certainty, and that is that there will now be a by-election to elect a new Mayor of Greater Manchester.

“That is one of the biggest political jobs in the country, and we know from looking at what happened in Makerfield, it’s going to be a straight fight between Labour and Reform.

“Now we desperately need to select a great Labour candidate and make sure they win that mayoralty, and we do that by standing together, not by fighting each other. But I know that’s what Andy will want because I’ve known Andy for years.”

He continued: “Each of the last four prime ministers in this country has in turn been the most unpopular.

“The truth is, if you’re the Prime Minister of this country, you’ve got to take really tough decisions to steer this country through the very difficult choices, to fix the problems we inherited from the Conservatives.

“The best thing we can do is bring all the talent we can together. We have a Government that is made up of a whole load of MPs. We need to bring the best talent we possibly can together, and now we’ve got Andy Burnham with us once again, and he’s got a very, very big role to play.”

PM vows to stand in Labour leadership contest and takes swipe at Reform UK

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to stand for the Labour leadership if Andy Burnham triggers a contest on his return to Westminster.

The Prime Minister said: “If there is a contest, then yes I will run, I will stand, and I’ve said repeatedly I’m not going to walk away from that.”

Hailing Mr Burnham’s victory in Makerfield, Sir Keir added: “The tide is turning on Reform.”

“They can’t now win by-elections, they’ve probably reached the peak of their support, it’s going down.”

PICTURED: Keir Starmer steps out for London visit just hours after Andy Burnham victory

Sir Keir Starmer has been pictured walking with David Lammy as he visited a housing development in north London.

Richard Tice says ‘tactical voting’ by Reform voters lost them the Makerfield by-election: ‘We were always the underdogs’

Richard Tice has told GB News that Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election due to ‘tactical voting’ by Reform supporters | GB NEWS

Reform UK’s Richard Tice has argued that Andy Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election was due to “tactical voting” by his party’s supporters.

Speaking to GB News, the Deputy Leader of the party declared that they were “always the underdogs” in the challenge against the ex-Greater Manchester Mayor.

Asked by GB News “what went wrong” for Reform in the election, Mr Tice assured that voters chose to help “remove the most unpopular Prime Minister in living memory at a general election”.

He said: “It’s the seat that’s been held by Labour as a safe Labour seat for the last hundred years, so congratulations to Mr Burnham for holding such a Labour seat.

“And of course, we’d have loved to have won it, but we were always the underdogs. Mr Burnham is a well-known figure in the North West and let’s just remember, the slogan was ‘vote Reform to get Starmer out’, and here the slogan was ‘Vote Burnham to guarantee to get Starmer out’.”

He added: “We had a number of Reform voters specifically, tactically on this occasion who voted Burnham to guarantee to remove the most unpopular Prime Minister in living memory at a general election.”

Mr Tice made clear that Reform will be “ready” and will “win” the next general election, should one be called.

He said: “It may well be if Mr Burnham goes on to be the next Labour leader, a general election might come sooner rather than later.

“We look forward to that, we’ll be ready and we’ll win it, because we’re leading in all of the national polls, so lots of work in progress.”

Labour MPs urged to ‘put Keir Starmer out of his misery’ by Andrew Bowie: ‘We must move on!’

Shadow Secretary for Scotland Andrew Bowie has urged Labour MPs to “put Keir Starmer out of his misery” following the by-election victory for Andy Burnham in Makerfield.

Speaking to GB News, he declared that the country must “move on” from Sir Keir, who now faces a “huge challenge” from Mr Burnham.

Mr Bowie added that the country “doesn’t want more chaos” and needs “firm leadership”.

He told GB News: “Congratulations to Andy, he won a comfortable majority, and we look forward to seeing him down in the House of Commons on Monday.

“This is quite clearly a huge challenge for Keir Starmer, the only person left in the country, I think, who doesn’t recognise that his time as Prime Minister is coming swiftly to an end.”

He added: “The country doesn’t want more chaos, it doesn’t want more division. What the country needs is good firm leadership, the sort Kemi Badenoch as leader of the Conservative Party is offering.

“The future leadership of the Labour Party is for Labour MPs and Labour Party members.”

PICTURED: Keir Starmer spotted for first time since Andy Burnham victory

Sir Keir Starmer was pictured leaving Downing Street the morning after the Makerfield by-election.

Lucy Powell hints at a Labour leadership battle – ‘There’s much to digest’

Lucy Powell hints at a Labour leadership battle, saying there is “much to digest” following Andy Burnham’s return to Westminster.

The deputy leader of the Labour Party took to social media to congratulate the new Makerfield MP.

She wrote: “What a fantastic result. After such difficult results in May, it’s great to win again and show how, and that we can, beat Reform in communities like Makerfield.”

“There’s much to digest. A huge thank you to Andy Burnham, his team, led by Louise Haigh & @anneliese_midge, Labour staff, all have been amazing, and to our entire movement who came together and showed the best of us.

Nigel Farage sends direct message to Restore Britain voters after ‘disappointing’ Reform defeat

Nigel Farage has sent a direct message to Restore Britain voters after admitting he was “disappointed” by the result in the Makerfield by-election.

In a short video released on social media, Mr Farage sent a direct message to voters now backing Restore Britain.

The Reform UK leader said: “The Makerfield by-election was a dramatic, emphatic win for Andy Burnham with a vote share that nobody could quite see coming. In many ways he’s a popular local mayor, just as Boris Johnson was a very popular mayor in London just a few years ago.

“What really happened here is it was vote Burnham, get Starmer out which of course was our campaign message leading up to the locals on May 7. So we were slightly hoist with our own petard.

“As for the Reform vote share, well I thought we’d get 18,000 votes, we got just shy of 16,000, so I’m disappointed by that, no question about it.

“But I would say this. There’s a couple of thousand voters there who would normally have gone out and voted Reform that voted Restore and I would say directly to them: what do you want? We are the challenger party to the Left in this country and I would urge you to think again, I really, really would.”

Andy Burnham ‘is the man to get rid of Keir Starmer’ after by-election win, Reform MP tells GB News

Andy Burnham “is the person to get rid of Keir Starmer” after his Makerfield by-election win, Andrew Rosindell told GB News.

Speaking to The People’s Channel following Mr Burnham’s victory, the Reform MP admitted it was “inevitable” that he would bring a “large personal vote” to the ballot box.

He said: “I do understand that Andy Burnham is incredibly popular in that part of the world.

“It was inevitable that with him standing, having been Mayor of Manchester and very popular in that part of the country, it was inevitable that he was going to bring with him a very large personal vote, which is what has happened this evening.”

He added: “Andy Burnham is the person that can get rid of Keir Starmer.

“And I think a lot of people in Makerfield voted for Andy Burnham, not because they were backing Labour, but because they liked Andy, and they knew that by voting for Andy Burnham, that’s the route for getting rid of a very unpopular Prime Minister and changing the Government.”

​Kemi Badenoch claims North Sea and energy security won Aberdeen South for Conservatives

Kemi Badenoch said the Conservative victory in Aberdeen South demonstrated people in the constituency cared about jobs in the North Sea and energy security.

The Tory leader sought to contrast the win with Andy Burnham’s overnight by-election victory in a post on social media, writing: “Makerfield was about one man’s job. Aberdeen South was about thousands of jobs in oil and gas across our country, and the future of an entire city.

“Yesterday, the people of Aberdeen sent a message on behalf of the whole country. Energy security is national security. They know it is common sense to use our own oil and gas rather than importing it from overseas.

“They know it is madness to make ourselves poorer, weaker and more dependent at a time when even the Government’s own intelligence says we are under threat.

“The first duty of any Government is to keep its people safe. The Conservative Party will always put Britain’s security first.”

She added: “The Conservative Party is working to earn the trust of the country again. I am grateful and humbled that Aberdeen looked at the choice before them and decided that the Conservative Party was the party that would fight for families, workers and business.”

Wes Streeting: ‘Burnham’s campaign is proof that we need to change’

Wes Streeting has reacted to Andy Burnham’s by-election victory in a post on X.

“Huge congratulations to Andy Burnham on an astonishing victory in Makerfield, where Labour lost badly only weeks ago.

“It gives us all hope that Labour can still win, but Andy’s campaign is proof that to do so we need to change.

“Enormous thanks to everyone involved.”

Mr Streeting has said he will run in any leadership contest to replace Keir Starmer.

​Angela Rayner congratulates Andy Burnham

Angela Rayner has congratulated Andy Burnham after his victory, saying Makerfield had “voted for hope”.

Following Labour’s losses in last month’s local elections, the former Deputy Prime Minister issued a “last chance” warning to Keir Starmer and explicitly condemned the party leadership’s previous factional moves to block Burnham from returning to Parliament.

Unite general says Andy Burnham in Makerfield is a ‘glimmer of hope’

Following the election of Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “There is absolutely no doubt that over the last two years workers and the working-class have fallen out of love with Labour.

“The win for Andy Burnham in Makerfield is a glimmer of hope but it must not be taken as a business-as-usual mandate.

“It is clear that there now needs to be an orderly timetable for a leadership election and Keir Starmer must do the right thing and step down.

“The inevitable leadership election must be fought on real change and policies. Not personalities or better speeches.

“This result does paper over the cracks that workers feel abandoned by Labour and they will continue to abandon Labour in droves if there is not a significant change in economic and political direction.

“Rearranging the deckchairs and incremental reforms just won’t cut it.”

Richard Tice: ‘Safe Labour areas want the Prime Minister gone’

Richard Tice, Reform UK’s deputy leader, has told the BBC that Reform voters told him they would vote for Mr Burnham because of the likelihood of him ousting Sir Keir Starmer.

He said his takeaway was that Labour heartlands were now voting purely to oust the Prime Minister.

“What people voted for was what they voted for at the local elections: to get Starmer out,” he said – echoing Reform’s campaign slogan for May 7, which saw the party pick up more than 1,400 seats across the country.

Reform UK suffers ‘worst night since 2024’ in Makerfield and faces ‘very hard path to power’ warns top pollster

Reform UK suffered its worst night since the 2024 general election and faces a “very hard” path to power, a top pollster has warned.

Andy Burnham stormed to victory in the Makerfield by-election, beating Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by more than 9,000 votes.

Luke Tryl, the UK director of pollster More in Common, said last night’s by-election was a very difficult result for Nigel Farage’s party.

He pointed out there was “barely any” increase in the party’s vote share in Makerfield.

READ THE FULL STORY ON LUKE TRYL’S WARNING HERE

Keir Starmer congratulates victorious Andy Burnham – just as he prepares to fight for his job

Sir Keir Starmer has just congratulated Andy Burnham on his by-election victory – just as Mr Burnham prepares a bid to take his job.

“Congratulations Andy Burnham, Labour’s new MP for Makerfield,” Sir Keir grinned.

“Voters chose Labour’s campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate.”

Pound stable after by-election as it emerges Andy Burham ‘preparing bid to calm markets’

The pound showed little reaction to Andy Burnham’s victory overnight – ⁠which had been widely expected by investors.

Sterling remains stable at €1.15 and $1.32 overnight.

The market steadiness comes as the BBC reports that Mr Burnham consulted high-level advisers, especially on economics, in the days before his victory.

The Makerfield MP has been taking advice from ex-Treasury Minister Lord O’Neill in a sign he is preparing programmes for national policy, and to reassure the markets of stability should he become Prime Minister.

He has also been advised by the former OBR chairman Richard Hughes, who resigned in December after overseeing an IT leak that threw Rachel Reeves’s Budget into chaos.

Mr Burnham has opened the door to reforming strict borrowing rules – for example to allow for defence spending increases.

Though he has since said he would stick to the rules.

After he confirmed his intention to stand as an MP, the pound fell to a one-month low.

“The markets hate uncertainty, but they hate a political vacuum even more,” Nigel Green, the chief executive of deVere Group, said at the time.

“A Cabinet resignation followed by a leadership fight would signal that the Government is losing control of itself while investors are already questioning the country’s fiscal direction.”

‘Reform CAN win Manchester mayoral race’, councillor vows

Reform UK can win the Manchester mayoral race sparked by Andy Burnham’s by-election win, Reform councillor Natalie Rebecca Oliver has said.

Speaking on GB News, Ms Oliver offered a bullish prediction ahead of the race – which is set to take place within the next 35 days.

Sir Keir Starmer, meanwhile, said the election would be “very important” some days ago – and that his party were “going to have to pull our sleeves up to make sure that there is another Labour victory”.

The Prime Minister also indicated that he would offer Mr Burnham a Cabinet job if he wins in Makerfield, telling reporters: “I hope he wins the by-election and he’ll play a big part in the Labour Government.”

But just days ago, Labour was accused of changing election rules to stop Reform UK winning the race.

Lord Hayward, a Conservative peer and former MP, said the Government was rushing to change the way mayors are elected.

Peers on Tuesday approved the Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (Amendment) Order 2026, which would revert mayoral elections to the supplementary vote system, where voters get a first and second preference candidate choice.

Keir Starmer braces for ‘utter chaos’ as victorious Andy Burnham turns sights on No10

Sir Keir Starmer is bracing for a Labour leadership battle already described as “utter chaos” after Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election.

Mr Burnham romped to victory in the North West this morning, and is now set to march south to Westminster and stand to replace the Prime Minister.

He needs the support of 81 Labour MPs to trigger a leadership contest, and last night insiders revealed he does indeed have those numbers.

The new Makerfield MP intends to present the list of his MPs to Sir Keir to pressure him to step down without a race – what some have termed a “coronation” – according to the New Statesman.

“This is a final chance to change,” Mr Burnham said in his victory speech. “There will be no second chance.”

Earlier, his main allies including Louise Haigh, the former minister, had ordered Sir Keir Starmer to make way and let a peaceful transition of power take place.

While Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she imagined the Prime Minister would reach out to Mr Burnham by the early morning for a conversation if he won the seat.

Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting has declared that if Mr Burnham stands in an upcoming race, he will too.

But the beleaguered Prime Minister continues to insist he will not walk away, while loyalists like Home Office Minister Mike Tapp have warned that “all the public will see is utter chaos” if a contest begins.

Mr Tapp added that if Mr Burnham’s agenda was too different from Sir Keir’s, he would also need to call a General Election.

Polling guru Sir John Curtice issues dire prediction for Labour despite Andy Burnham victory

Polling guru Sir John Curtice has issued his prediction for Labour’s nationwide prospects after Andy Burnham’s victory in Makerfield.

“In a sense,” Sir John told the BBC, “he was riding two horses at once.”

“He was both riding as the person who was trying to appeal to the traditional Labour vote… and he was also able to appeal to those who wanted to see the back of Keir Starmer.

“The question you have to ask yourself is when Mr Burnham becomes Prime Minister, how easy will that trick be to repeat?

“Once he’s his own man, he’s not going to be able to campaign against himself in the way he’s campaigned against Keir Starmer.”

He added: “I don’t think we should assume that there is going to be suddenly a dramatic change in the standing of the Labour Party in the national opinion polls.”

Lisa Nandy: ‘I won’t resign from Keir Starmer’s Cabinet’

Andy Burnham ally Lisa Nandy has vowed not to resign from Sir Keir Starmer’s Cabinet after Andy Burnham’s by-election triumph.

Ms Nandy told reporters: “I’m not going to. Of course not. I’ve never walked away from the promise that we made to the people of this country until we’ve delivered it.

“I’ve proudly served in the Prime Minister’s Cabinet for the last six years. Over the last two months, I’ve been inundated with questions about a leadership contest. Instead, we’ve been getting on with the job and delivering.”

She said that with Mr Burnham back in “the top team… helping to drive that change”, Labour would be in a “really strong position”.

Andy Burnham risks sparking row with Donald Trump – before he even becomes PM

Andy Burnham branded the politics of Donald Trump’s America “dark and divided” in his victory speech in Makerfield.

In what could spark a rift with the White House before Mr Burnham even enters Downing Street, the new MP vowed to “turn away” from the States’ “dark politics” and “build a new politics based on unity and hope”.

“There is a chance now from this result tonight to build a new politics based on unity and hope,” he said.

“Turning away from the path that takes us to a divided, dark politics of the kind we see in the United States.

“We must now take this path and put this country back on the right path and bring people back together and get things working properly again.”

Tories claim result is ‘disastrous’ for Reform UK – after receiving just TWO per cent of vote

The Conservatives have claimed the Makerfield by-election result is “disastrous” for Reform UK – after receiving just over two per cent of the vote.

“There is no disguising the fact that this is a disastrous result for Reform,” a party spokesman said.

“Makerfield was one of their top target seats anywhere in the country, yet despite throwing everything at it, they have failed to win.”

Tory candidate Michael Winstanley received just 997 votes in the seat.

Labour congratulates Andy Burnham on return to Westminster

Labour has just congratulated Andy Burnham on his return to Westminster on social media.

Sir Keir Starmer’s party issued the warm message just as Mr Burnham said it was a “wrench” to be resigning as the Mayor of Greater Manchester – setting up a by-election which will cost taxpayers £5million.

The new Labour MP for Makerfield said: “It is with some sadness that this result brings an end to my wonderful nine years as Mayor of Greater Manchester.

“This city-region has given so much to me and it is a wrench to leave the job I love, but I am not leaving the service of Greater Manchester.

“I have always been clear that it can’t achieve everything it should be, and we can’t close the north-south divide, and we can’t make all the great English cities be what they should be without big change at the national level.”

How did Reform UK do versus Restore Britain?

In the end, Reform UK finished some 20 percentage points behind Labour’s Andy Burnham.

Robert Kenyon, the “plucky plumber”, secured more than 15,000 votes on the campaign trail.

Though his total came to five times as many as Restore Britain’s Rebecca Shepherd.

She finished in third with 3,111 votes – 6.8 per cent of the total.

Pollsters had tipped Reform and Labour for a much tighter finish, with Restore Britain’s share potentially costing Nigel Farage’s party a win.

But Restore leader Rupert Lowe said votes did not “belong” to any party as counting was underway.

Andy Burnham warns Labour faces ‘final chance to change’ as he sets up pitch to turf out Keir Starmer

Andy Burnham has warned that Labour faces a “final chance to change” in his victory speech – an opening pitch as an MP for his Labour leadership campaign.

The new Makerfield MP said the by-election could be a “turning point” to bring about the “change” which Britain needs.

“Everyone knows that politics isn’t working. Everyone can feel that the country isn’t where it should be. Tonight could, just could, be the turning point,” he said.

“From here on I will give everything I have got to make it so. To ensure the name Makerfield is forever synonymous with bringing about the change this country needs.”

Makerfield by-election: Read results in full 

Tonight’s results in full:

Labour: 24,937 – 54.8 per cent (+9.6 per cent);

Reform UK: 15,696 – 34.5 per cent (+2.7 per cent);

Restore Britain: 3,111 – 6.8 per cent (+6.8 per cent);

Conservative: 997 – 2.2 per cent (-8.7 per cent);

Green: 308 – 0.7 per cent (-3.7 per cent);

Liberal Democrats: 163 – 0.4 per cent (-6.4 per cent).

BREAKING: Andy Burnham wins Makerfield by-election and sets up Labour war to give Keir Starmer the boot

Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield by-election, setting the wheels in motion for a Labour leadership race and a battle for No10.

Mr Burnham won the seat with 24,927 votes.

Turnout increased in the seat compared to the General Election, rising to 58.8 per cent.

Earlier, his main allies including Louise Haigh, the former minister, had ordered Sir Keir Starmer to make way and let a peaceful transition of power take place.

While Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she imagined the Prime Minister would reach out to Mr Burnham by the early morning for a conversation if he won the seat.

Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting has declared that if Mr Burnham stands in an upcoming race, he will too.

But the beleaguered Prime Minister continues to insist he will not walk away.

Andy Burnham and Josh Simons seen HUGGING in Wigan

Andy Burnham and Josh Simons, the Labour MP whose resignation triggered the by-election, were spotted embracing as they waited for the result to be announced.

Mr Simons gave up his seat to let the Greater Manchester Mayor return to Parliament on May 15.

The ex-minister said it “was too big an opportunity to miss” and that Labour had been “imploding” under Sir Keir Starmer.

In Aberdeen… Top Tory Andrew Bowie hails ‘extraordinary victory’ in ‘North Sea referendum’

Shadow Scottish Secretary Andrew Bowie, reacting to the result of the Aberdeen South by-election, said: “This is an extraordinary victory for Douglas Lumsden MP and the Conservatives.

“This is the first time that the Conservative Party has gained a Westminster Parliamentary by-election in Scotland since 1967.

“We said this election was a referendum on the future of North Sea oil and gas, and Aberdeen has spoken loud and clear. Let’s get Britain drilling now.

“I look forward to Douglas joining the Conservative team in Westminster, where I know he will work tirelessly to hold Ed Miliband to account and stand up for the people of Aberdeen.”

Ex-minister Louise Haigh demands peaceful transition of power ahead of potential Labour war

Former minister Louise Haigh has said Sir Keir Starmer should set out an orderly transition of power if Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by-election.

“I hope, if things go the way way we want them to tonight that Keir Starmer takes the time to reflect on these results, reflect on the results just six weeks ago and do what’s best for both the country and the Labour Party,” she told the BBC.

“I hope that he will consider an orderly and managed transition. We have said that the party is in an existential crisis and things cannot continue.

“It was quite clear , after the local elections, unfortunately he considered that business as usual would suffice.

“Andy has, potentially, shown tonight what a changed Labour Party can bring and how we can beat the rise of Reform because without that optimism and without that on the ballot paper then we will see a Reform Prime Minister at the next general election.”

Andy Burnham arrives

Andy Burnham has just arrived for the count in Wigan.

The Greater Manchester Mayor is smiling and laughing with allies Lisa Nandy and ex-Transport Secretary Louise Haigh…

Labour ‘quietly confident’ of winning Makerfield by-election – with result expected shortly

A result in Makerfield is expected within the next hour – and Labour are feeling “quietly confident”, sources have told GB News.

Sarah Pochin is speaking to Britain’s News Channel now. She earlier told GB News Reform UK would be “very happy” to come a strong second.

SNP wins Arbroath & Broughty Ferry by-election in second Scottish result of night

In Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, the second Scottish referendum of the night, the SNP has retained its seat – with Lara Bird elected to the Commons.

The SNP candidate received 9,802 votes, with the Conservatives receiving 4,524, Reform UK receiving 4,341, Labour receiving 3,651, and the Liberal Democrats receiving 1,452.

Confirmed: Tories secure landmark win in ‘North Sea oil referendum’ Aberdeen South by-election

The Conservatives have achieved a landmark win in the constituency of Aberdeen South, in what was described as a referendum on North Sea oil.

Scottish Tory MSP Douglas Lumsden seized the seat from the SNP by more than 6,000 votes, with 14,308 on the night.

“The people of Aberdeen have given a resounding answer: That we back the oil and gas industry,” Mr Lumsden said after the count was read out.

The historic win marks only the fifth time this century the Tories have gained a seat at a Westminster by-election.

The last time was Hartlepool in May 2021, when Jill Mortimer took the seat from Labour with a swing of almost 16%, a result which piled pressure on Sir Keir Starmer, who was then leader of the opposition.

READ THE FULL BREAKING NEWS STORY HERE

Stephen Flynn mourns loss of Aberdeen South as Tories set to march to victory

The SNP’s Stephen Flynn, who gave up his Aberdeen South seat for a place in Holyrood, has just issued his reaction to tonight’s by-election.

“A tough night in Aberdeen that some will need to reflect on, quite heavily,” the ex-MP said.

“We lost Aberdeen South to the Tories in 2017, and we won it back two years later.

“I’ve no doubt that we can do so again. If we get things right.”

BREAKING: SNP concedes defeat to Conservatives in ‘North Sea oil referendum’ Aberdeen South by-election

The SNP have conceded defeat in Aberdeen South to the Conservatives – a huge win for Kemi Badenoch’s party, who appear to have won what’s been billed as a referendum on North Sea oil.

A senior source said it was the “Tories’ night”, but pledged to “win it back in 2029”.

The campaign for Aberdeen South became a battle over the future of oil and gas, with the Conservatives, Reform and the SNP vying to persuade those in the city – dubbed the energy capital of Europe – they support the industry the most.

Candidates reported the fate of the industry was one of the key issues coming up on the doorsteps during canvassing sessions.

Former MP Richard Thomson is running for the SNP, while the Tory candidate is MSP Douglas Lumsden.

Labour was accused of having all but forgotten the two Scottish by-elections just days ago.

“I don’t even know who our candidates are,” a senior Labour source admitted to GB News.

Aberdeen South marked another test of the so-called Tory comeback following the party’s disastrous 2024 General Election showing.

“Voters in Aberdeen South can turn this by-election into a referendum on the future of the North Sea oil and gas industry,” Mrs Badenoch said last month.

The Leader of the Opposition went on to describe it as “utter madness” not to drill for liquid gold off the Scottish coast.

Rupert Lowe speaks to GB News – and declares: ‘Votes do NOT belong to Reform UK’

Rupert Lowe has just spoken to GB News – where he has defended his Restore Britain party against claims of “vote-splitting” and potentially handing Makerfield to Reform UK.

“Votes do not belong to anyone,” he says. “They don’t belong to me. They don’t belong to Reform. They belong to nobody.”

We’ll bring you the latest from Mr Lowe’s interview as soon as we get it…

Turnout in Makerfield higher than General Election

We’ve just heard the turnout figures in Makerfield.

Some 58.75 per cent of the electorate has turned up to vote in this by-election that’s up from 52.4 per cent at the 2024 General Election.

Lisa Nandy showers Andy Burnham with praise as counting continues in Makerfield

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has said that the fact Andy Burnham is even in contention to win is a testament to his strength as a candidate after Reform UK won Wigan Council at the May 7 elections.

Speaking to GB News, Ms Nandy said a victory for the Greater Manchester Mayor would be an “historic win”.

“It would give Andy Burnham a very loud voice at the top of national politics. He has proved he can run a hopeful campaign,” she said.

Asked whether she would like Sir Keir Starmer to set out a timetable for his exit if Mr Burnham returns to the House of Commons, she told the BBC: “Obviously I’d expect the Prime Minister to pick up the phone to a winning by-election candidate to congratulate him and I’m sure he will do that, and I’m sure there’ll be a conversation between them.

“But it’s far too early to talk about these things.”

Jess Phillips: ‘Keir Starmer should be given a dignified exit’

Ex-Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips has called for Sir Keir Starmer to be given a “dignified exit” should Andy Burnham win Makerfield.

Ms Phillips has just outlined her ideal outcome to the BBC – Mr Burnham wins, Sir Keir is given the chance to make a “dignified” departure.

But she added that she did not want to see “chaos” with lots of ministers resigning alongside the Prime Minister.

She resigned as a minister last month.

Makerfield result ‘expected at 3am’

Council officials in Makerfield have told The Guardian they expect the result by around 3am.

In Aberdeen South… SNP ‘pessimistic’ over fortunes in ‘referendum on North Sea oil’

It’s understood that senior SNP figures are pessimistic about the party’s fortunes in Aberdeen South.

Sources have said early sampling of postal votes shows a heavy tactical vote skewed towards the Scottish Tory candidate Douglas Lumsden.

Tory sources have suggested the party is “cautiously optimistic”, but emphasised it was still early in the counting process.

The by-election, billed as a referendum on North Sea oil, is also expected to have a particularly low turnout.

IN DEPTH: How Labour ditched two ‘forgotten by-elections’ for Andy Burnham’s battle and threw the Tories a North Sea lifeline

Reform counsel caution as by-election count ‘way too close to call’

A Reform source at the Makerfield count has warned the crunch vote is still “way too close to call”.

Counting is underway in Wigan – but it was “way too early” to make any kind of prediction, the source said.

He added that canvassing had been “really positive” – but said the party would have a better idea of how it had done after the verification process was complete.

Revealed: Keir Starmer held Downing Street meeting to rally ‘core supporters’ ahead of potential leadership war

Sir Keir Starmer held a major Downing Street meeting last night in a pre-by-election bid to gee up his core supporters.

Around 30 MPs were at the meeting – at which David Lammy and Bridget Philipson spoke, according to Sky News.

The Prime Minister was said to have been “remarkably upbeat” – despite the looming prospect of losing his job.

He is thought to have admitted Labour’s local election results were a disaster – and even that he had made mistakes – but claimed the overall trajectory of of Britain under his watch was positive.

One source told the broadcaster that MPs were impressed by Sir Keir’s “energy and resilience”, and backed his arguments for staying on.

But in a dire warning of things to come, even his backers doubted he could win over the Labour membership if there is leadership contest.

Andy Burnham believed to have support of 81 MPs and will seek to challenge Keir Starmer

Andy Burnham is said to have a list of 81 MPs who will support the Mayor of Greater Manchester in a leadership contest to oust Sir Keir Starmer from No10.

The Makerfield hopeful will urge the Prime Minister to step aside without a race, several sources told The New Statesman.

However, it is understood that Mr Burnham does not have any plan to launch a leadership contest within the next few days.

Reform MP accuses Restore Britain of ‘utter betrayal of Britain’ if it splits right-wing vote

Reform MP Sarah Pochin has accused Restore Britain of committing an “utter betrayal of Britain” if it splits the right-wing vote in the make-or-break by-election.

Fears over the divided vote have spiralled since the polls began to indicate that Rupert Lowe’s backers were allowing Mr Burnham’s to storm ahead in support.

Reform UK gearing up for ‘highest ever by-election percentage’ in fight against Andy Burnham

Reform UK is gearing up for its “highest ever by-electio percentage” in its fight against Andy Burnham, an insider shared.

In the contest dubbed a “two-horse race” between Reform’s Robert Kenyon and the Manchester mayor, a Reform source said that they feel “very good”.

“Our vote has turned out today and we will get our highest-ever by-election percentage,” they added.

Reform MP Sarah Pochin, who won her seat last with a majority of six votes, took home 38.7 per cent of the share.

Andy Burnham issues statement as polls close in crunch contest

Andy Burnham has issued a statement after polls closed at 10pm in the Wigan constituency.

Mr Burnham said: “A huge thanks to the people of the Makerfield constituency for your patience and good humour over the last five weeks.

“My thanks too to the many volunteers who came up to support my campaign. We ran a very positive one and can be proud of it!”

Reform UK accuses Restore Britain of ‘dirty tricks’ as ‘Muslims for Reform’ van ignites furore

Reform UK has accused Restore Britain of “dirty tricks” after a “Muslims for Reform” van ignited furore on the final day of the heated campaign.

In a now-deleted post, Restore leader Rupert Lowe shared photos online of the controversial vehicle, writing online: “Seen in Makerfield this morning. We do not want this divisive identity politics in our politics.”

But Reform UK chastised their right-wing rivals and subsequently reported the van to Greater Manchester Police.

Labour set to emerge victorious from Makerfield contest as Restore Britain splits right-wing vote

Labour is set to emerge victorious from the Makerfield contest as Restore Britain is projected to split the right-wing vote.

The latest weighted average for the by-election polling puts Labour on 46.9 per cent, with Reform UK trailing behind in second place on 39.4 per cent.

However, Rupert Lowe’s support of seven per cent has divided the vote on the right, paving the way for Mr Burnham to return to Westminster.

‘We knew this would be a tough fight’: Labour deputy leader thanks Makerfield campaigners ahead of count

Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell has admitted that Makerfield was a “tough fight” as she heaped praise onto Makerfield’s campaigners.

“Our great candidate, Andy Burnham, and our fantastic Labour team have run a positive campaign focused on the people of the Makerfield constituency,” she said.

The Manchester Central MP continued: “We knew this would be a tough fight, given Reform did so well here just a few weeks ago, but the Labour movement came together to show we are well up for that fight.

“While it will be some hours before we know the result, I want to say a huge thank you to the hundreds and hundreds of activists and volunteers who have helped with this campaign.

“Together, we’ve spoken to a record number of residents and shared our Labour message of hope and optimism.

“Labour will continue working every day for the people of this country, putting our values into action and delivering the fairer future communities want to see.”

Polls close in three by-elections across country

Polls have closed in three Westminster by-elections across Britain this evening.

Residents across Makerfield, Arbroath and Broughty Ferry and Aberdeen South all headed to cast their vote earlier today.

Our Standards:
The GB News Editorial Charter