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  "path": "/politics/makerfield-has-delivered-one-of-the-most-consequential-by-election-results-in-a-century",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-19T17:18:45.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Membership",
    "Keir Starmer outlines next steps after Andy Burnham's victory and takes huge swipe at Reform",
    "Richard Tice says 'tactical voting' by Reform voters handed Andy Burnham victory in Makerfield",
    "Labour MPs urged to 'put Keir Starmer out of his misery' after Andy Burnham by-election win",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nMakerfield last night did not fail to disappoint and delivered perhaps one of the most consequential by-election results for a century.\n\nAndy Burnham’s win defied all expectations, with the Manchester mayor securing 55 per cent of the vote share.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThat was more votes than all 13 rival candidates combined.\n\nIn his acceptance speech, he warned supporters: “This is the final chance to change.”\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nWe know what this means: a leadership election which could see Sir Keir Starmer ejected from Downing Street could happen as soon as next week, which looks nailed on.\n\nThe question is who will make the first move to fire the starting gun, Team Streeting or Team Burnham?\n\nIf Mr Burnham wins, what happens next?\n\nMinisters tell GB News Mr Burnham wants to focus on fixing big-ticket items such as defence, small boats and adult social care.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAll expensive, but the same problems remain.\n\nHow can this be paid for?\n\nUK public sector debt currently stands at 94.2 per cent of GDP, whilst growth is sluggish and private-sector wage growth has stalled.\n\nThere is no money, and the country is in dire straits.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Keir Starmer outlines next steps after Andy Burnham's victory and takes huge swipe at Reform\n  * Richard Tice says 'tactical voting' by Reform voters handed Andy Burnham victory in Makerfield\n  * Labour MPs urged to 'put Keir Starmer out of his misery' after Andy Burnham by-election win\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAnd if a Burnham administration decides to keep Chancellor Rachel Reeves in No11 to calm the markets, they will have to accept sticking with her fiscal rules, further constraining Mr Burnham's borrowing and spending plans that the Makerfield man may have.\n\nIf the King of the North wins the impending Labour civil war, pressure will grow for a general election.\n\nAnd Mr Burnham adopts policies outside of the party's 2024 general election manifesto, he will come under pressure from opposition parties and some voters to go to the country early with a snap general election.\n\nThere would be logic, though, in calling a snap general election early in his premiership.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nLabour would likely receive the shot in the arm that they are looking for, with honeymoon polling likely to present Mr Burnham with his best chance of beating Reform UK.\n\nLabour should beware, as there was strong evidence last night that the extraordinary scale of Mr Burnham’s win was driven in part by tactical voting, as Liberal Democrat, Green and Reform voters switched to Labour in the by-election.\n\nNo wonder: Nigel Farage's party won big in the local elections in Makerfield last month on a message of “Vote Reform and kick out Starmer”.\n\nThis time the message was a little different – vote Labour and kick out Starmer – but the end result was the same.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSir Keir says he wants to fight the incoming leadership contest.\n\nYet with 100 Labour MPs now wanting him out, that choice may be taken out of his hands\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Makerfield has delivered one of the most consequential by-election results in a century"
}