Political situation in the UK

The way is open for Starmer's rival after the by-election: "Turning point"

Keir Starmer's challenger Andy Burnham has won the by-election in Makerfield in northwest England, reports NBC News. The victory is a necessity for Burnham to be able to formally begin the process of trying to replace Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister.

Burnham, who is mayor of Manchester, defeated Reform UK's candidate Robert Kenyon by a good margin.

- Everyone knows that politics is not working. Everyone can feel that the country is not what it should be. Tonight we may, perhaps, have reached a turning point, he says in his victory speech.

Keir Starmer has said that he will defend his post if a challenge comes.

Burnham's plans: Decentralisation and nationalisation

Andy Burnham has won the by-election in Manchester and is now ready to challenge Keir Starmer for the leadership of both Labour and the UK. But what does he really want?

If one were to describe his policies briefly, according to several media outlets, it is what he himself calls "Manchesterism" and "business-friendly socialism". Burnham wants, among other things, to give smaller towns greater control over state money, increase investment in infrastructure and nationalise the energy and transport sectors. In the long term, he also wants to lower taxes for low-income earners and raise them for those who earn the most.

However, there will be no re-entry into the EU. Although Burnham has often spoken of Brexit as a historic mistake and that he would like to see Britain as part of the EU during his lifetime, he has recently been clear that this is "not a priority", according to The Independent.

Starmer congratulates challenger: “Optimism”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has congratulated challenger Andy Burnham on his win in the Makerfield by-election.

“Voters chose Labour’s campaign of hope and optimism over division and hatred,” he wrote on X.

The win was necessary for Burnham to formally begin the process of challenging the prime minister. Starmer has previously said he will defend his post.