Key facts
- Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield by-election.
- Burnham's victory secures him a seat in Parliament, enabling a bid for Labour leadership.
- The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons.
- Burnham secured a majority of 9,231 votes.
- This by-election is the first since 1965 specifically triggered to provide a parliamentary vacancy for a figure not currently in Parliament.
Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield by-election, securing a parliamentary seat that positions him to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership. The by-election, held on June 18, 2026, saw Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, defeat Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon by a majority of 9,231 votes.
The seat was vacated by Josh Simons, who resigned his position as MP for Makerfield on May 18, 2026, to allow Burnham to stand. This move was facilitated by party rules requiring leadership contenders to be members of the Parliamentary Labour Party. The by-election was notable as the first since 1965 to be specifically triggered to provide a parliamentary vacancy for an individual not currently in Parliament.
Burnham's campaign saw significant support from Labour MPs, with many making the journey to Makerfield to canvass. The constituency, traditionally a safe Labour seat, includes the towns of Ashton-in-Makerfield and Hindley. The campaign focused on issues such as immigration, tax, transport, and local services, with a significant effort to persuade undecided voters.
Simons' resignation followed an investigation into his former think tank, Labour Together, although he was cleared of breaching the Ministerial Code. His departure from government was described as a 'distraction'. The Labour Party's National Executive Committee had previously blocked Burnham from standing in another by-election, but approved his candidacy for Makerfield.