Huge win for Andy Burham, Reform a distant second - where to now?

But we need politicians with the ability to grapple with all the serious problems, put in the necessary effort. that has a strong public service ethic, that is committed to find a path to deal with these problems, that has political nous and has the ability to communicate with the electorate each difficult step along the way......

There is no alternative that is good for the country. We are really all in this together.

The UK's problems are so serious I doubt Burnham or any of our politicians will be able to solve them.

watermeadow

Keir Starmer is a decent man but a hopeless leader. At the last general election Labour was handed victory on a plate and we hoped for huge changes after the Tories had wrecked the country.
Under such weak leadership Labour has wasted the past two years. I’m just hugely relieved that Makerfield had the sense not to fall for Reform.

My feelings too.

Padstow13

DaisyAnneReturns

Sky seem fairly sure Burnham will take over the Labour Party.

Ooh, a big mistake to start taking things for granted.

It isn't over until it's over!

It's Sky's opinion (or stirring) Padstow13, not ABs.

From the Economist "Sir Keir Starmer’s days as prime minister are numbered. The triumph of his Labour colleague and rival Andy Burnham in a by-election in the northern constituency of Makerfield on June 18th means that Sir Keir will soon face a formal challenge to his leadership—one he is very likely to lose."

Wyllow3

Anniebach

I didn’t know of his opinion of women who had abortions, could never vote for him.

Well, that's Reform for you, isn't it? Kenyon didn't even think he had said something controversial.

They also didn’t know the banner referring to JS would be inappropriate. Is there a brain cell between them?

I seriously doubt Burnham is confiding in Beth Rigby, whatever connotation she puts on it.

DaisyAnneReturns

Sky seem fairly sure Burnham will take over the Labour Party.

Ooh, a big mistake to start taking things for granted.

It isn't over until it's over!

.... this entire issue leaves a very sour taste in my mouth.
I’m not sure one MP stepping down to make way for another, so a leadership contest can be triggered against a serving PM completely meets my understanding of democracy. Though I understand many will disagree with me and agree with all of this for the good of both the party and country.

I am neither a Labour nor a Reform voter but while I endorse the first part of the statement I do not agree that the promised battle for the leadership is for the good of the government and the country.
Starmer appears to listen to no-one, has lost control of his party and his cabinet yet refuses to acknowledge the gravity of his position. Burnham has made promises to all and sundry which he is in no position to keep,( including his promise of staying as Mayor of Manchester full-term,) and doubt he has the ability required. He also refuses to to register the gravity of the situation he has created.

Meanwhile the country suffers.

Keir Starmer is a decent man but a hopeless leader. At the last general election Labour was handed victory on a plate and we hoped for huge changes after the Tories had wrecked the country.
Under such weak leadership Labour has wasted the past two years. I’m just hugely relieved that Makerfield had the sense not to fall for Reform.

Anniebach

I didn’t know of his opinion of women who had abortions, could never vote for him.

Well, that's Reform for you, isn't it? Kenyon didn't even think he had said something controversial.

At all times KS has behaved with integrity, politeness and dignity.

He has had to endure the worst vitriol by SM & MSM I’ve ever seen, yet has held his head high and done his job … whilst being stabbed in the back by some of his own party.

I’m afraid, if I were him I’ve have lost my sh** with all of them by now!

MayBee70 I’ve come to the conclusion that KS can do nothing right for some people.

The media has unfairly demonised him from day one. Beth Rigby has demonstrated an obsession for her hatred of KS.

I agree Maybee70- the chance of Starmer calling a GE is virtually zero- he has always been dignified.

Spinnaker

Oreo

Starmer should now resign with some dignity intact, but I think he’ll hang on like grim death.

I agree Oreo and Starmer will dig his heels in. Who knows, in a sheer act of spite he could even call a general election - now that would set off the fireworks 🎇🎇

I don’t know how you can accuse the PM of spitefullness . He has always behaved in a pretty dignified manner imo.

Spinnaker

Oreo

Starmer should now resign with some dignity intact, but I think he’ll hang on like grim death.

I agree Oreo and Starmer will dig his heels in. Who knows, in a sheer act of spite he could even call a general election - now that would set off the fireworks 🎇🎇

The chance of a general election is zero.

Oreo

Starmer should now resign with some dignity intact, but I think he’ll hang on like grim death.

I agree Oreo and Starmer will dig his heels in. Who knows, in a sheer act of spite he could even call a general election - now that would set off the fireworks 🎇🎇

Oreo

Starmer should now resign with some dignity intact, but I think he’ll hang on like grim death.

I wish he would, I hope he reflects across the weekend, I hope AB s gracious enough to offer him an appropriate ministerial post.

Cossy

LemonJam

An emphatic and very successful win by Burnham in a seat that overwhelmingly voted for Brexit and voted for Reform in local by elections just seven or so weeks ago. To lose in Makerfield is a big defeat.

There was no good news for Reform whatsoever. That Kenyon was the best candidate Farage had to offer when throwing everything at the by election to win- shows the dearth of talent in his party. It showed the world Farage's lack of ability to win when most needed and lack ability to form a functioning government.

The Restore vote also presents Farage with a growing challenge. I suspect the rise of Farage and Reform has peaked and its. downhill for them now.

I suspect Burnham will become PM in a short time period. He is now known as the man, with an election record that shows his ability to stop the rise of Farage and Reform. He has the ability to communicate his none divisive messages. He's on a path to change politics he said in his victory speech. It won't be an easy path- but I wish him luck and a fair wind.

I too wish him luck and I too am extremely relieved not to have yet another Reform MP, BUT, whilst I hope all will work out, this entire issue leaves a very sour taste in my mouth.

I’m not sure one MP stepping down to make way for another, so a leadership contest can be triggered against a serving PM completely meets my understanding of democracy. Though I understand many will disagree with me and agree with all of this for the good of both the party and country.

I totally agree with you. I don’t think people can see the wider picture. And imo Reform had already peaked and were on the way down ( especially with all the allegations against Farage and Tice not to mention how many councillors have been discredited) but Burnham will get the credit for it. Maybe people should be thanking the LibDems who obviously voted tactically and didn’t put much effort into contesting the seat but even though they have far more seats in parliament than Reform are largely ignored by the media ( many of whom eg Beth Rigby have had it in for Starmer right from the start).

Starmer should now resign with some dignity intact, but I think he’ll hang on like grim death.

I always thought he would win but didn’t think it would be such a landslide win. Well done Andy 😃
It wasn’t simply a vote for Labour, or a local boy but rather a vote to get him in, to contest the PM ship and oust Starmer.

Fully agree with Cossy’s 10.03 comment.
A massive sigh of relief as I was worried!

I didn’t know of his opinion of women who had abortions, could never vote for him.

J52

We have to wait and see if he’s any better as a leader, but he’s quite nice to look at! #Shallow me.

Fabulous eyelashes

foxie48

I take heart from the fact that Burnham won decisively and if people voted to keep Reform out, so much the better. however, I find it disheartening that over 18K were prepared to vote for Reform or Restore!

electionresults.wigan.gov.uk/ParliamentaryElections/Home/Index/3#:~:text=Makerfield,Labour%20and%20Co%2Doperative%20Party

conservative vote 997 or whatever
even Restore got 3 times that many