Labour's Andy Burnham wins big in Makerfield by-election

Current Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield by-election.

Burnham won the seat of Makerfield for the Labour Party in northwest England over Rob Kenyon of the anti-immigration party Reform UK.

The victory announced Friday cements Burnham's status as the leading contender to replace Keir Starmer as leader of the Labour Party and the country.

"Everyone knows that politics isn't working," said Burnham in a victory speech.

"Everyone can feel that the country isn't where it should be. Tonight could, just could, be the turning point."

He said Labour had a "final chance to change" and win back voters' trust. "But it is a chance now, from this result tonight, to build a new politics based on unity and hope, turning away from the path that takes us to a divisive, dark politics of the kind we see in the United States."

Starmer has insisted he will not quit and praised Burnham's victory online, writing, "voters chose Labour's campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate."

Burnham gave up the Greater Manchester mayoralty by becoming Makerfield MP, winning a seat that was vacated by Josh Simons, triggering a by-election that allowed him the chance to return to Westminster.

Britain's parliamentary system allows governing parties to challenge leaders mid-term, with the winner becoming Prime Minister without a national election. Under Labour rules, a lawmaker can challenge the leader if they have backing from a fifth of the party's House of Commons lawmakers.

Speaking in Brussels, Taoiseach Micheál Martin congratulated Burnham on the by-election result.

"I know Andy, I've met him on a number of occasions," he said.

"He has taken a particular interest in Ireland, and he's come to see us on a number of occasions, particularly on the economy, and in respect of his role as a mayor in Manchester, he was particularly focused on Irish economic policy and development."

"It was a solid victory in the by-election, which shows what's possible, despite all of the fragmentation and challenges of modern politics. He campaigned well and effectively."