Britain’s Keir Starmer could face imminent challenge as key rival Andy Burnham wins special election

The mayor of Greater Manchester, who has vowed a leadership challenge to replace Starmer as prime minister, has come a step closer to power by securing a seat in Parliament.

LONDON — Britain moved decisively toward a new leadership contest Friday after a key rival to embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer won a resounding special-election victory.

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Andy Burnham, who was until today the mayor of Greater Manchester, secured a seat in Parliament with a remarkable win over far-right Reform UK in the small northwest England area of Makerfield.

Burnham has openly discussed mounting an effort to replace Starmer as leader of the ruling center-left Labour Party, and thus prime minister. The special election result clears the path for him to now bring a challenge that he has every chance of winning.