Andy Burnham Wins Makerfield By-Election by More Than 9,000 Votes as Labour MPs Give Mixed Reactions on Starmer Leadership

Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election on Friday, increasing Labour's share of the vote by 10 percentage points and defeating the Reform UK candidate by more than 9,000 votes, BBC News reported. Burnham will be formally sworn in as an MP in Parliament on Monday. His victory returns him to Westminster after a nine-year absence and allows him to stand for the Labour leadership.

The Greater Manchester mayoral by-election will take place on 30 July. Sir Keir Starmer told the BBC he was elected with a mandate secured at a general election two years ago. He said he had achieved economic stability and got immigration back under control, adding that if a contest occurs he will run and will not walk away.

In a lunchtime call to Labour staff, Starmer said the party should pull together and avoid plunging the party and country into chaos. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander suggested Starmer set out a timetable to leave office. Chancellor Rachel Reeves spoke to him after the Makerfield result and offered her full support.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband urged Starmer last month to set a timetable for his resignation. Mahmood and Starmer have not spoken since Burnham's victory. Labour MP Peter Swallow told BBC Newsnight on Friday evening that it was time for the prime minister to resign and that he would back Burnham.

Bassetlaw MP Jo White told BBC Radio 5 Live that Starmer needed to consider his position very carefully and should announce on Monday morning a smooth transition allowing Burnham to become the next prime minister. Justice Minister Catherine Atkinson told the BBC's Any Questions that the prime minister had grit and determination and would not walk away.