In the end it wasn't close. Andy Burnham, the now former mayor of Greater Manchester, was returned to Westminster with a resounding victory - his 24,937 votes were more than all the other candidates combined - 55%.
He significantly boosted - almost doubled - Labour's majority in the constituency, and seems to have persuaded more disaffected Labour voters to turn out and vote for the party. Or maybe just vote for him.
Few in this suburban constituency to the south of Wigan town saw this vote as anything other than a referendum on Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. And Andy Burnham cannot conceal the fact that he is going back to Westminster to oust Mr Starmer.
In the Edge Centre, a conference venue cum church that sits in an industrial estate across the road from Wigan Pier, Mr Burnham arrived shortly after 2.30 am to hear the declaration of the result and address the crowd present and the nation at home.
His victory speech didn’t overtly state that challenging Mr Starmer was his next step. But it didn’t conceal it either.
When he came onto the stage, Mr Burnham was in curious company, wedged in between veteran serial candidate Count Binface (95 votes) and a young man dressed up as a fox who stood as an anti animal-cruelty candidate. When he stepped up to the microphone to speak, he found himself beside Howling Laud Hope, the leader of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party, dressed in all white, with a big white cowboy hat and yellow badges that said 'Loony'.
But Mr Burnham likes a stunt or two himself, and seems to be of the school of thought that there is no such thing as bad publicity. The presence of the Loony, Fox guy and Binface added a surreal touch to the quest for votes and recognition that all politicians crave. But it didn’t throw the freshly minted MP.
"Everyone knows that politics isn't working," he began. "Everyone can feel that the country isn't where it should be.
"Tonight could - just could - be the turning point."
Read more: Burnham wins election to UK parliament, setting up bid to oust Starmer
Andy Burnham was in curious company, wedged between Count Binface and a man dressed up as a fox
He pledged to "give everything I have got to make it so, to ensure the name Makerfield is forever synonymous with bringing about the change this country needs, bringing back something we've lost: hope - hope for the future," he told a crowd of election workers, counting staff and media.
Pushing back on a claim by opponents he said Makerfield will not be a stepping stone, but a touchstone - promising a "Makerfield test at the heart of British politics (that) will ensure the places Westminster has neglected will now get fairness".
He said that last month's local elections, in which Reform UK got half the votes cast in the eight wards that make up the Makerfield constituency - the people made a loud demand for change.
"In this campaign, we have begun to answer that, but I do say to my own party this is a final chance to change. This is what people said directly to me on the hundreds of doorsteps that I stood on.
He warned his own party: "We must hear it, we must act upon it, and we must get it right. There will be no second chance."
Speaking of his love for Greater Manchester, and the job of Mayor he had held for the last nine years he said of the region: "I've always been clear that it can't achieve everything it should be, and we can't close the north-south divide, and we can't make all the great English cities be what they should be without big change at the national level.
"I always knew one day I would seek to go back to Westminster to complete that unfinished business, so that Makerfield and Greater Manchester and the north of England can fulfill their potential.
"I will forever be grateful to them that they have given me the chance to go back and make this country work for Makerfield, and the many places, places like it across the country who have been neglected, who feel that the country works for other people in other places, but not for them, and that changes tonight. This result changes that."
"This result," he declared, "will bring about a country that works fairly for everywhere and for everybody. People here have voted for change, they have voted for more power for the north and everywhere forgotten by Westminster. They have voted for hope. Now let's give that back to them."
Clearly it was a speech that skirted the elephant in the room - the prime minister, and the perceived necessity to remove him from office and install Mr Burnham in his stead in order to bring about the changes he says the people want. It seems he regards the outcome of this by-election as giving him a mandate to be the change agent at the top, which he says is so urgently needed.
Reform UK, the party led by Nigel Farage, came second with 34 and a half percent. That party’s campaign bus bore the slogan 'vote Reform to get Starmer out'. Its candidate, local plumber Rob Kenyon became…
Read the full article at RTÉ News →📄Source document: The Times→18 reports
TheJournal.ieIndependentCenter2 days agoAndy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, won a significant byelection in Makerfield, securing a parliamentary seat and positioning himself as a potential challenger to Labour leader Keir Starmer for the role of Prime Minister. Burnham emphasized the need for Labour to address growing divisions in British politics and claimed his victory demonstrates strong public support for his leadership.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about Andy Burnham's election results and his stated intentions without overtly favoring either Burnham or Starmer. It includes direct quotes from both figures and does not employ biased language or selective sourcing.
The Irish TimesIndependent🔒Center2 days agoTaoiseach Micheál Martin stated that Andy Burnham, the presumptive challenger to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has shown a 'particular interest' in Ireland, especially regarding Irish economic policy and development. Martin made this comment during the EU government leaders' June summit in Brussels, following Burnham's recent election victory in the Makerfield by-election.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a neutral statement from Taoiseach Micheál Martin regarding Andy Burnham's interest in Ireland. There is no evident framing bias, loaded language, or one-sided sourcing. The content is primarily factual and does not show clear ideological leaning.
Official sources cited
- government Taoiseach Micheál Martin's remarks at EU summit
Irish IndependentIndependentCenter2 days agoAndy Burnham has won the Makerfield by-election, which positions him to potentially challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour Party leadership. Despite this development, Starmer has stated that he 'will not walk away' from his position.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It reports on the election outcome and quotes Starmer's response, providing balanced coverage of the situation without apparent ideological slant.
The Irish TimesIndependent🔒Center2 days ago How Irish is Andy Burnham, the possible next British prime minister?The article explores the Irish roots of Andy Burnham, a potential future British Prime Minister and current leader of the UK Labour Party. It examines his family background, noting his mother's Scottish origins and his father's Irish lineage. Burnham's family moved from Drogheda to Liverpool in the late 19th century, and he has mentioned connections to Northern Ireland through his ancestors who worked in Liverpool's docks. The piece also references comparisons to other figures with Irish ties, such as former U.S. President Joe Biden.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual exploration of Andy Burnham's heritage without taking a stance on political issues. It focuses on cultural and historical aspects rather than making any political judgments or endorsements.
Official sources cited
- other Interview with Scottish Magazine (2013)
- other 2010 Interview
The Irish TimesIndependent🔒Center2 days ago Andy Burnham wins huge majority in Makerfield byelectionAndy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, won the Makerfield byelection by a significant margin, defeating Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon and securing 54% of the vote. The result is seen as a potential challenge to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership within the Labour Party. Burnham emphasized the need for change and unity in his victory speech.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the election results factually without overtly favoring any political side. It includes direct quotes from Burnham and mentions the implications for Labour Party leadership without taking a stance on the outcome or its significance.
Irish IndependentIndependentCenter2 days ago Explainer: What is Andy Burnham's ‘Manchesterism’ vision for the UK?The article provides an explanation of Andy Burnham's 'Manchesterism' vision for the UK, focusing on his policy proposals and governance approach.
Bias read (Center): The article appears to provide a balanced overview of Burnham's policies without overtly favoring one side. It does not use loaded language or selectively present information to support a particular ideological stance.
Official sources cited
- government Andy Burnham's Policy Proposals
The Irish TimesIndependent🔒Center2 days ago Andy Burnham: How quickly could he become the UK’s prime minister?The article discusses Andy Burnham's recent electoral victory in Makerfield and explores the potential path for him to become the UK's prime minister. It outlines the procedures within the Labour Party for challenging the current leader, Keir Starmer, including the requirement for nominations from MPs and party groups. The article considers scenarios where Starmer might step down following pressure from senior cabinet members, allowing Burnham to proceed with the formal process of gaining support.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual overview of the political process and possible outcomes without overtly favoring any particular candidate or perspective. It presents procedural details and hypothetical scenarios neutrally, avoiding loaded language or biased framing.
Official sources cited
- organisation Labour Party Rule Book
RTÉ NewsState / PublicCenter2 days agoAndy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, won a decisive victory in the Wigan by-election with 55% of the vote, significantly increasing Labour's majority in the constituency. The election was widely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Burnham's win has been interpreted as a signal to challenge Starmer, though he did not explicitly state this in his victory speech. The event took place at the Edge Centre in Wigan, where Burnham addressed supporters alongside other candidates.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the election results and their implications without overtly favoring any political side. It notes the significance of the vote as a potential referendum on the Prime Minister but does not take a stance on whether Burnham should challenge Starmer. The tone remains neutral, summar
The Irish TimesIndependent🔒Left2 days ago Andy Burnham triumphs in Makerfield byelection. The battle for Britain’s political future beginsAndy Burnham of the UK Labour Party won the Makerfield byelection against Nigel Farage's Reform UK. Burnham's victory was significant, securing nearly 55% of the vote, more than doubling Labour's share from previous local elections in the area. This result marks a shift in momentum for Labour, with Burnham positioning himself as a potential successor to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Bias read (Left): The article frames Andy Burnham's victory as a major turning point for the Labour Party and suggests Burnham is positioning himself as a potential leader, implying a progressive direction. The tone emphasizes the significance of the win for Labour and highlights Burnham's ambitions, which align with
TheJournal.ieIndependentCenter2 days ago Labour's Andy Burnham wins big in byelection to move into position to challenge Keir StarmerLabour's Andy Burnham won the Makerfield byelection with nearly 25,000 votes, defeating Reform UK's candidate by over 9,000 votes. This result strengthens Burnham's position as a potential future Labour leader and raises questions about Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership within the party.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual results of the election and quotes Burnham's statements without overtly favoring either Burnham or Starmer. It frames the outcome as significant for Labour's internal dynamics but does not use biased language or selectively present information to support one side over另一方
Official sources cited
- statement Makerfield by-election result
RTÉ NewsState / PublicCenter2 days ago Burnham wins by-election to set up leadership challengeAndy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election, increasing Labour's vote share despite national trends favoring Reform UK. His victory sets up a potential leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Burnham emphasized the need for Labour to address public concerns and avoid missing another opportunity for change.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both Burnham's claims of needing to change and Starmer's refusal to step down without overtly favoring either side. The language remains neutral, quoting both figures directly and providing factual results of the election. No loaded terms or biased sourcing are evident.
TheJournal.ieIndependentCenter3 days ago Why a civil war among the British right could hand today's crucial byelection to Andy BurnhamThe upcoming byelection in Makerfield, northwest England, is considered one of the most important UK byelections of recent times. The contest is between Labour's Andy Burnham and Reform UK's Rob Kenyon. However, there is concern within the British right that internal divisions, particularly the emergence of the Restore Britain party, could split the anti-Labour vote and potentially allow Burnham to win. This could give him momentum to challenge Labour leader Keir Starmer for the leadership of the party.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the situation in Makerfield as a competitive race between Labour and Reform UK, highlighting concerns from the British right about potential voter division due to the emergence of Restore Britain. It does not exhibit clear bias toward either side, providing information on both烧的
RTÉ NewsState / PublicCenter3 days ago Counting of votes under way in crucial UK by-electionVote counting is underway in the Makerfield by-election in northwest England, considered one of the most significant by-elections in recent British political history. Labour candidate Andy Burnham aims to return to Parliament and potentially unseat Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Burnham has reportedly declined an offer from Starmer to join his government if he wins. Burnham and his allies prefer a 'coronation' scenario where Starmer steps aside, while Starmer has stated he will not resign and will defend his leadership against any challenges.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both perspectives without overtly favoring one side. It includes direct quotes from both Andy Burnham and Keir Starmer, as well as reports from external sources like The Times and The Guardian, providing balanced coverage of the situation.
RTÉ NewsState / PublicCenter3 days ago Voting under way in UK by-election as Burnham eyes seatPolls have opened in the UK by-election in Makerfield, where Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, is running as Labour's candidate. Burnham aims to return to Parliament and potentially unseat Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Starmer has offered Burnham a significant role in his government if he wins, but Burnham and his allies have rejected this, emphasizing their desire for a 'coronation' scenario where Starmer steps down rather than facing a leadership challenge. Starmer has stated he will not step down and will defend his leadership against any challenges. Reports indicate that some内阁
Bias read (Center): The article presents both Andy Burnham's position and Keir Starmer's stance without overtly favoring either side. It includes direct quotes from both parties involved and reports on the internal dynamics within the Labour Party without apparent bias toward one candidate over the other.
Official sources cited
- press release The Times
- press release The Guardian
The Irish TimesIndependent🔒Center4 days ago Keir Starmer signals openness to Burnham cabinet role amid leadership tensionsBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer has suggested he would offer Andy Burnham a cabinet position, calling him a 'huge asset' to the Labour Party. This comes amid potential leadership challenges within the party following the Makerfield by-election. Starmer emphasized the importance of focusing on the upcoming Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, stating it is 'one of the biggest byelections we've ever fought.'
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual statements from Keir Starmer without overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It reports on Starmer's comments regarding Andy Burnham and the internal Labour Party dynamics without taking a stance or emphasizing one side over another.
Irish IndependentIndependentRight5 days ago Ukrainian man found guilty of arson attack on houses linked to Keir StarmerA Ukrainian national has been found guilty of an arson attack on properties associated with UK Labour Party leader Keir Starmer.
Bias read (Right): The article focuses on an arson attack linked to a prominent political figure, which could imply a politically motivated act. The framing emphasizes the connection to Keir Starmer without providing additional context or balanced perspectives on the incident.
TheJournal.ieIndependentCenter5 days ago 'I'm sick of you lot': World's media descend on UK town at centre of critical voteGlobal media has focused attention on the UK town of Ashton-in-Makerfield ahead of a by-election seen as potentially pivotal for Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The contest is expected to be between Labour's Andy Burnham and Reform's Rob Kenyon. The outcome could impact Starmer's position, especially following Defence Secretary John Healey's recent resignation. Local residents were interviewed regarding the significance of the election.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the situation objectively without overtly favoring any side. It outlines the stakes for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, mentions both candidates, and includes perspectives from local residents without apparent bias toward either political party. The framing remains neutral, with no
The Irish TimesIndependent🔒Center5 days ago Labour hoping Nigel Farage will lose some of his flock to right-wing Rebecca ShepherdThe Irish Times reports on the upcoming Makerfield byelection in England, highlighting the presence of Restore Britain posters across the area. The article notes that while the party's visibility is strong, their candidate, Rebecca Shepherd, has remained largely absent from public campaigning. The piece suggests that if Labour candidate Andy Burnham wins, it could be partly due to Shepherd's low profile.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a balanced overview of the situation without overtly favoring any side. It mentions both the presence of Restore Britain's posters and the absence of their candidate, Rebecca Shepherd, while also noting the potential implications for Labour's chances. There is no clear bias in语言
Ireland