Burnham wins Makerfield by a landslide
James Heale
Burnham wins Makerfield by a landslide
- Friday, June 19, 2026, 5:14 AM
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James Heale
Burnham wins Makerfield by a landslide
In the end, it was not even close. Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield by-election by a landslide, putting him firmly on course to be Britain’s next Prime Minister. The Mayor of Greater Manchester managed to comfortably beat even the most optimistic of polls by winning an impressive 24,937 votes (54.8 per cent), more than 20 points higher than Reform’s Robert Kenyon 15,696 (34.5 per cent). In a distant third came Restore Britain’s Rebecca Shepherd who took 3,111 votes (6.8 per cent), enough to keep her deposit. In an impassioned address, Burnham suggested tonight ‘could be the turning point’ for the country and the ‘final chance to change’ for the Labour party.
It was just six weeks ago, at the local elections, that Labour won just 24 per cent of the vote here in Makerfield. By dint of his stature and status as a PM-designate, Burnham has managed to completely turn that around, winning a majority of almost 10,000 on a 23-point swing. He did that by winning back those Labour voters who have switched to Nigel Farage's party since the general election and convincing progressives who backed rival forces two years ago. There was strikingly little movement between the 'left' and 'right' voting blocs since 2024, suggesting that Burnham was able to win by uniting the left completely behind him and running a 'Stop Reform' campaign. 'This is how we win nationally', was one supporter's remark shortly after Burnham claimed victory.
'This is how we win nationally', was one supporter's remark shortly after Burnham claimed victory.
It was a pretty poor night for Reform for three reasons. The first is how little ground they gained on their 2024 performance, picking up a miserly three points in seat full of 'our kind of people'. In a two-horse race, they barely got out the starting gates. The second is the Restore result. The margin of victory means that blame for the Reform defeat cannot be pinned solely on Rupert Lowe's party, as some of Farage's team would clearly have liked. Third, there is the result across the country in Aberdeen South, where Douglas Lumsden became the first Scottish Conservative to win a Westminster by-election in almost 50 years, taking the seat from the SNP on a 14-point swing. After all the confident Reform talk of the Tories being 'dead' on 7 May, this result will serve as a morale boost to Kemi Badenoch's troops and strengthen her narrative of a comeback.
In winning by an absolute majority, Burnham has ensured that he will likely enter No. 10 in a matter of days and weeks rather than months. Already, there are reports from various allies that he is preparing to present Keir Starmer with a list of over 80 Labour MPs backing his leadership bid to convince him to resign without a contest. Louise Haigh, the ex-Transport Secretary and a key Burnham supporter, told the BBC this morning that Starmer should agree to an 'orderly and managed transition' of power in order to 'do what's best for the party'. Expect more such interventions over the next 48 hours as, 'the herd' – in Boris Johnson's phrase – starts to 'move.'
As Sir John Curtice pointed out this morning, Burnham's margin of victory can be credited to 'riding two horses' at once, being both anti-Starmer and anti-Reform. After a campaign which has seen his favourability ratings drop 15 points in a month, Burnham will be aware that he too, in office, could be plagued by the same problems that has bedevilled the current Prime Minister. But, fearing for their seats, much of the Parliamentary Labour Party will now back any candidate who they believe can defeat Reform. In Andy Burnham, they have a man who has just done exactly that.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
