Burnham Win Ignites Labour Leadership Battle Against Starmer

Burnham's win, which saw Labour's vote share surge and Reform UK fall by over 9,000 votes, was immediately seized upon by party grandees like Alan Johnson, who declared 'it's over Keir'.

Starmer held a defiant press conference, insisting he will not walk away, but MPs fear losing their seats under his leadership.

The Greater Manchester mayor is expected to return to Westminster and trigger a leadership election, plunging Britain into its third prime ministerial change in just over a year.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, meanwhile, expressed disappointment at his party's poor showing.