Makerfield by-election: Votes counted in historic vote as Andy Burnham arrives

Votes are being counted in the pivotal Makerfield by-election, with Labour's Andy Burnham predicted to launch a leadership bid if he wins. Reform UK and Restore Britain split the right-wing vote.

Capital Post 19/06/2026 00:30

Makerfield by-election: Votes counted in historic vote as Andy Burnham arrives — Makerfield by-election: Votes counted as Andy Burnham arrives

Votes are being counted in the pivotal Makerfield by-election, with Labour and Reform UK anxiously awaiting the result in the south Wigan constituency. Andy Burnham's team is 'quietly confident' of victory, and the Greater Manchester mayor arrived at The Edge venue with a broad smile. The outcome could be decisive for Labour under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, as Burnham is predicted to launch a leadership bid if he wins the seat.

Reform UK and Restore Britain split the right-wing vote

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage threw everything into the by-election, with candidate Robert Kenyon hoping for an upset. However, the right-wing vote may be split by Restore Britain, an ultra-nationalist group with extreme views on immigration, which has become a headache for Reform.

Andy Burnham ally: 'Centrist governments have run out of time'

Lisa Nandy MP, a Burnham ally, told Metro at the count that the government needs 'to deliver change on a much grander scale.' She said: 'People need to see their politicians taking the fight to the system in order to change their lives. Tangible change needs to happen much more quickly. People in places like Winstanley, Orrell, and Ashton have waited for such a long time. They've run out of patience, and frankly, centrist governments have run out of time.'

—

Wide Pickt banner — collaborative shopping lists app for Telegram, phone mockup with grocery list

Conservatives and SNP win other by-elections

While all eyes are on Makerfield, two other by-elections took place in Scotland. The Conservatives won Aberdeen South, the former seat of SNP's Stephen Flynn, with Tory candidate Douglas Lumsden receiving 14,000 votes, 6,000 more than the SNP candidate. Lumsden said the vote was a referendum on oil and gas, and 'sent Labour the message that destruction of the North Sea oil and gas industry must stop now.' The SNP held Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, with Lara Bird winning by over 5,000 votes over the Conservatives.