General · 19 June 2026

Burnham wins byelection, eyes Starmer leadership

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield byelection by a large majority, setting up a challenge to Keir Starmer's leadership. Labour took 54% of the vote, with Reform UK getting 35%, in a contest that saw turnout up six points. Burnham returns to Westminster after nine years, with his allies suggesting Starmer should set out a departure timetable.

By BriefTea Editorial · 19 June 2026 at 3:21

Reported by The Guardian · How we write briefs

Get the app

More briefs

GeneralGoogle paying £260m to settle UK Play Store developer lawsuit PoliticsJames Cleverly steps down from the shadow cabinet to campaign for London mayor GeneralThe UK Navy just followed four Russian ships again GeneralSarah Ferguson is moving back to the UK following the Epstein scandal GeneralIcelanders vote on restarting EU membership talks after 13 years GeneralGoogle now auto-expands AI answers, pushing links down Browse all stories →