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Scottish Conservatives win first Westminster by-election in more than 50 years

election as a North East MSP. South of the border, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham won the Makerfield

What next for Starmer? Five scenarios in Labour leadership crisis

Makerfield by-election. Reform UK came a competitive second in the constituency in the 2024 general election, and last week won

Sir John Curtice: Burnham's win against Reform represents remarkable personal success

Makerfield itself, Labour were 20 points behind Reform in the local elections on 7 May. Even at the best of times, support for the party of government nearly always falls in by-elections

PM sends Burnham and Labour warning over leadership contest

Makerfield. Some Labour MPs fear that Reform UK could win the Manchester mayoral by-election, even though when it was last contested in 2024 Burnham won

What does Makerfield make of by-election and can Burnham win?

won February's by-election in Gorton and Denton and made big gains in Manchester in last week's local elections. But the party has downplayed its prospects in Makerfield

Starmer’s future hangs in balance after Burnham’s Makerfield election win

Makerfield, the suburban northern ward whose by-election looks set to determine the UK’s next prime minister, has been visited by swarms of activists and journalists. Political party volunteers have been busy knocking

In Britain, Brexit is debated again as Starmer’s grip on power slips

Makerfield by-election will take place on Thursday 18 June 2026 after Labour MP Josh Simons resigned to make way for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to run giving him a route back to Westminster

Britain faces weeks of leadership limbo in slow-motion coup against Starmer

Makerfield has been one of Labour’s safest seats since the constituency was created in 1983. In the [2014 general election](https://members.parliament.uk/constituency/4165/election/422), Simons won it with a reduced majority of 5,399. Labour

Farage blames Makerfield defeat on anti-Starmer votes

Makerfield vote was one of three by-elections taking place on Thursday, alongside [two in Scotland](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpv3kk3nlj1o) sparked by the resignation of sitting MPs to take seats in the Scottish Parliament. The Conservatives

Tories pick themselves up off the floor with unexpected Scottish by-election win

by-election in Makerfield](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gy72kmg1mo) rather than those in Scotland. Where energy policy meets the cost of living, it does seem this is an issue where the Tories have the public's attention

PM insists he will not walk away as Burnham promises to change Labour

by-election. Pressed on his own political future, Sir Keir said he wanted to fight the next general election but that he recognised that "we've got to turn things" after the party's dire

Labour's Andy Burnham wins a special election, setting up a showdown with Starmer to lead Britain

by-election in Makerfield, England, Thursday, June 18, 2026 where voters are choosing a new lawmaker with Andy Burnham of the Labour Party as the leading contender. **Jon Super/AP** Jon Super/AP LONDON — Labour's Andy

Personal decision for Starmer on whether to fight leadership contest, minister says

by-election in January, [cleared him to seek selection as Labour's candidate in Makerfield](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgp2e0rrj4o). It came after Labour MP Josh Simons said he would resign to make way for Burnham, while

Final push for votes in high stakes Makerfield by-election

Makerfield by-election, in a contest that could also determine who becomes the next prime minister. Labour candidate and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is expected to challenge Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer

Labour risks handing power to Reform without drastic change, says union leader

Makerfield by-election this week, would the relationship with Labour would improve with a change at the top? She praised Burnham for his work on the rights of migrant workers – a cause close

By-election win-win for me, Reform candidate says

Makerfield by-election said the poll was a "win-win situation" for him because even if he loses he would "give the Labour Party a bloody nose". The by-election was called after Labour

Changing visa rules for care workers is wrong, says Rayner

won't rest until all those who give and receive care do so with the dignity and respect they deserve." [Rayner first expressed concerns](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7434xv1pmeo) about applying changes to the immigration system retrospectively

Does UK’s new far-right party, Restore, pose a threat to Farage’s Reform?

Makerfield, Greater Manchester, a [by-election](/news/2026/5/28/the-kingmakers-of-makerfield-english-town-braces-for-crucial-by-election) is expected to take place on June 18, following the departure of current Labour MP Josh Simons to make way for Manchester Mayor [Andy Burnham](/news/2026/5/19/king-of-the-north-who-is-andy-burnham-a-potential-uk-prime-minister) to contest

Andy Burnham wins key UK by-election, paving way to challenge Keir Starmer

by-election in northern England, paving the way for him to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the leadership of the Labour Party and the United Kingdom. Burnham handily defeated his closest challenger, Robert Kenyon

Makerfield byelection: Burnham’s decisive win intensifies pressure on Starmer to step aside – UK politics live

by-elections… Caerphilly, Gorton and Denton, Makerfield… the tactical vote to keep Reform ‘out’ is being mobilised with significant impact. Tactical voting is cemented as a defining feature of our politics. [From](https://x.com/adampayne26/status/2067812277214957911)