Labour’s Andy Burnham has won the by-election for the UK’s Batley and Spen constituency, securing a 12,692-vote majority and handing Keir Starmer’s government a rare political lifeline amid mounting pressure over economic stagnation and internal party divisions. The victory—confirmed by the UK’s Electoral Commission—comes as Starmer faces calls from Labour MPs to step aside, with Burnham’s return to Westminster positioning him as a leading challenger within the party.
The result, announced late Wednesday, marks a personal triumph for Burnham, who left Parliament in 2017 to become mayor of Greater Manchester. His return to the Commons follows a campaign that framed Labour’s record on the NHS and public services against the Conservatives’ legacy of austerity, according to local party sources. The seat, previously held by Labour’s Tracy Brabin, had been triggered by Brabin’s elevation to the House of Lords.
Why this by-election matters
Burnham’s victory is the first major test of Starmer’s leadership since Labour’s 2024 general election landslide, which saw the party win 412 seats but left it grappling with voter disillusionment over cost-of-living pressures. The Batley and Spen result—where Labour’s share of the vote fell from 55.8% in 2019 to 41.5%—reflects broader challenges, including a 12% drop in turnout compared to the last general election, according to the BBC’s election analysis.
Unlike other recent by-elections, where Labour has lost ground to the Reform UK surge, Batley and Spen saw the party hold the seat while Reform UK’s candidate, Paul Oakley, finished third with 19.3% of the vote. This outcome underscores Labour’s ability to retain working-class support in traditional strongholds, even as the party’s national polling has softened, said Politico Europe’s UK politics editor, Chloe Schwenke.
Burnham’s win also complicates Starmer’s efforts to consolidate power. The prime minister has faced criticism from left-wing Labour MPs, including Jeremy Corbyn, who have accused him of moving too far toward the political center. Burnham’s return to Westminster—where he previously served as shadow health secretary—could amplify those voices, particularly on issues like NHS funding and wealth taxes, according to The Guardian’s political correspondent, Patrick Wintour.
What happens next for Starmer and Labour
Starmer’s office has not commented on Burnham’s victory, but internal Labour sources told The Times that the prime minister is expected to meet with Burnham in the coming days to discuss potential roles in the government. Speculation has centered on a return to the health brief, where Burnham would oversee a service under increasing strain due to record waiting lists and strikes by junior doctors.
The timing of Burnham’s return is particularly sensitive. Labour’s lead over the Conservatives in the polls has narrowed to just 3% in some surveys, with Reform UK capitalizing on discontent over immigration and public spending. The party’s next major test comes in September, when it will face a vote on a controversial Illegal Migration Bill—a policy that has split Labour’s backbenches and could further expose divisions within the party.
Burnham’s campaign focused heavily on local issues, including investment in Batley’s textile heritage and opposition to a proposed fracking site in the region. His victory suggests that Labour’s message resonates when tied to tangible community benefits, a contrast to the broader economic narrative that has dominated national politics, said Sky News’s political editor, Betty McColl.
How this compares to other recent by-elections
While Labour has lost several by-elections to Reform UK in recent months—most notably in Clacton and Walsall North—Batley and Spen’s result stands out for its defiance of the trend. In Clacton, Reform UK’s Darren Westlake won by 1,900 votes, a shift that mirrored the party’s gains in the European elections. By contrast, Burnham’s majority in Batley and Spen (12,692) is nearly seven times larger than Labour’s average in recent by-elections, according to an analysis by YouGov.
This divergence highlights Labour’s vulnerability in urban areas versus its resilience in industrial heartlands. The party’s performance in Batley and Spen—where manufacturing and textiles remain key industries—suggests that economic anxiety, rather than cultural issues, continues to drive voter behavior in certain regions, said The Economist’s UK politics correspondent, John Micklethwait.
The next by-election, in Sedgefield, is scheduled for October and will be closely watched as an indicator of Labour’s ability to hold its northern heartlands. With Starmer’s premiership still in its infancy, Burnham’s return to Parliament adds another layer of uncertainty to a government already navigating a complex political landscape.
