Labour’s Andy Burnham wins Makerfield seat with 24,927 votes, narrowing Starmer’s lead as Reform UK gains traction.
Andy Burnham secured the Makerfield by-election with 24,927 votes, positioning himself as a potential challenger to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, finished second with 15,696 votes, signaling rising support for the anti-immigration party.
The result follows Labour’s broader dominance in recent elections but highlights growing competition within the party and from opposition groups. Makerfield, a traditional Labour stronghold, saw a narrower margin than expected, raising questions about Starmer’s leadership stability.
The GBP/USD pair dipped 0.01% to 1.3205 amid the political uncertainty, though market reaction remained muted at publication.