Andy Burnham wins Makerfield by-election - now he prepares to launch his Left-wing coup to topple Keir Starmer and become PM

Andy Burnham is poised to storm Downing Street after a stunning win in the Makerfield by-election. The Greater Manchester Mayor secured a majority of 9,000 votes over Reform in a result that sparked tears of joy from Labour Left-wingers - who want far more extreme tax and spend policies. Mr Burnham immediately made clear he will try to replace Keir Starmer as PM, insisting he is heading for the 'heart' of politics and the party has a 'final chance to change'. The scale of the victory heaps massive pressure on Sir Keir - who is still vowing to fight any challenge - to allow a 'coronation' that could take place within days. It was achieved after a wave of previously loyal Labour big beasts and celebrity backers flooded the constituency yesterday.  Sir Keir posted on X congratulating Mr Burnham this morning, pointedly praising 'Labour's campaign'.  However, his dwindling band of allies are continuing to warn of 'chaos' and an early general election if there is a coup. Mr Burnham, known as Labour's 'King of the North', stood on stage between Count Binface and Robert Pownall, a candidate dressed as a fox, as the by-election results were declared shortly after 3am. He won 24,927 votes, which was more than half of the total. It gave him a majority of 9,231 votes over Reform candidate Robert Kenyon, with 15,696 votes. In his victory speech, Mr Burnham - who has been out of the Commons for nine years - said: 'Everyone can feel that the country isn't where it should be. Tonight could, just could, be the turning point. 'From here on I will 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.' He added: '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. 'We must hear it, we must act upon it and we must get it right. There will be no second chance.' Mr Burnham left the count almost immediately after his speech. As he got into a car with his wife and daughter, he said he was going for a 'pint'. However, both he and Sir Keir are expected to make public appearances later.  In a separate by-election contest in Aberdeen South, the Tories secured a huge win over the SNP after successfully turning the race into a referendum on oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.