Burnham says his win in Makerfield by-election could be turning point

36 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on Google Jennifer McKiernanPolitical reporter Watch: Newly-elected MP for Makerfield says UK at "turning point" in his victory speech Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield by-election with nearly 55% of the vote, clearing a major hurdle for an expected challenge for the Labour leadership. In his victory speech, he said his win could mark a turning point for the country, while he pledged not to use the constituency as a stepping stone. The outgoing Greater Manchester mayor held off a challenge from Reform UK, which came second but more than 9,000 votes behind Labour. In Aberdeen South, the Scottish Conservatives won a Westminster by-election for the first time in more than 50 years taking the seat from the SNP; while in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry the SNP held onto the seat in its by-election overnight. There will be no second chance." On Friday morning, the prime minister congratulated Burnham on his win on social media, writing: "Voters chose Labour's campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate." The by-election came after Labour MP Josh Simons stepped down to allow Burnham an opportunity to contest the seat, after Labour's ruling body blocked his attempt to run in February's Gorton and Denton by-election. That seat was won 's Hannah Spencer. Makerfield has been a Labour stronghold for 120 years but Reform UK were victorious in May's English council elections. Nigel Farage's party was running high in the polls at the start of the campaign, but Robert Kenyon, a plumber and Reform councillor, ending up in second place with 15,696 votes. Former Reform MP Rupert Lowe's rival Restore party ended in third place, with 3,111 votes for its candidate Rebecca Shepherd. Winning the by-election was vital in any bid to become party leader, as a challenger to Sir Keir must be an MP under party rules. Speaking from the count ahead of the result, Burnham's allies stepped up calls for Sir Keir to stand aside. Former cabinet minister Louise Haigh, who has been managing Burnham's campaign, told the BBC she hoped the prime minister would reflect on the by-election result and results from six weeks ago. "I hope that he will consider an orderly and managed transition." But the prime minister has repeatedly insisted he has no intention of walking away from No 10. If Burnham goes ahead with a challenge as expected, it would be his third leadership attempt, with former Health Secretary Wes Streeting is also expected to enter any contest.