Andy Burnham has issued a blunt warning of a "final chance to change," challenging Labour to respond decisively to voters' demands.
His comments come after a convincing by-election victory in Makerfield, where he defied national trends by increasing Labour’s share of the vote and defeating Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by 9,231 votes—up from a margin of 5,399 in the 2024 general election.
Speaking after the result, Mr Burnham said: "Everyone knows that politics isn’t working.
"Everyone can feel that the country isn’t where it should be.
🚨 BREAKING: Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield by-election
🔴 LAB: 24,937 (+6,725) - 54.8%
➡️ REF: 15,696 (+2,893) - 34.5%
🟣 RES: 3,111 (NEW) - 6.8%
🔵 CON: 997 (-3,382) - 2.2%
🟢 GRN: 308 (-1,468) - 0.7%
🔶 LD: 163 (-2,572) - 0.4%
Changes w/ 2024
58.75% turnout— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) June 19, 2026
"Tonight could, just could, be the turning point."
He called on Labour to recognise the urgency of the moment.
He said: "I do say to my own party: this is a final chance to change.
"This is what people said directly to me on the hundreds of doorsteps that I stood on.
"We must hear it, we must act upon it and we must get it right.
"There will be no second chance."
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons, who stepped aside to allow Mr Burnham to return to Westminster.
Congratulations, @AndyBurnhamGM , Labour’s new MP for Makerfield.
Voters chose Labour’s campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate.— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 19, 2026
"It will never be a stepping stone to me, but instead will be my touchstone.
"A Makerfield test at the heart of British politics will make sure that the places Westminster has neglected will now get fairness."
Mr Burnham’s return to Parliament has fuelled speculation about a potential leadership challenge to Sir Keir Starmer.
Cabinet minister Lisa Nandy said she wanted him "back at the top table".
The culture secretary said: "What Andy’s shown here is that there is something that he brings, a willingness to go out and fight for the change that people need, to take on any system and any person who stands in the way and to be bold and to wear his heart on his sleeve, and people have responded."
She believes his presence would strengthen the Labour leadership team.
🚨 WATCH: Andy Burnham's Makerfield victory speech in full
"I say this to my party… This is a final chance to change" pic.twitter.com/yVZPI692sU— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) June 19, 2026
She said: "I think that with him back in the top team, at the top table, helping to drive that change, I think we’ll be in a really strong position."
Despite calls for his return to frontline politics, Mr Burnham has said he will not accept a job in Sir Keir’s government and is not expected to launch an immediate leadership challenge.
Instead, he and his allies hope that the scale of his victory will encourage Sir Keir to stand aside.
Former cabinet minister Louise Haigh has called for an "orderly and managed transition" of power.
She told the BBC: "I hope Sir Keir will do what’s best for both the country and the Labour Party."
However, Sir Keir has made it clear he intends to remain in office and is reportedly preparing to fight any leadership challenge.
According to The Times, Sir Keir has secured the backing of private donors and has raised a six-figure sum to support his campaign.
Mr Burnham has said he would enter a leadership contest if one were triggered, which would require 81 MPs to back a candidate.
Former health secretary Wes Streeting has indicated he would be willing to formally begin a contest if Sir Keir does not step down.
Elsewhere in Westminster by-elections, the Conservatives secured a win in Aberdeen South, with Douglas Lumsden taking the seat vacated by the SNP’s former Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, who was elected to the Scottish Parliament in May.
In Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, the SNP’s Lara Bird held the seat previously occupied by Stephen Gethins, who also became an MSP.
The political landscape remains highly fluid, with public dissatisfaction and a resurgent Reform UK continuing to put pressure on both major parties to respond to shifting voter priorities.
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