Makerfield returns Burnham, and ends a premiership

12 divisions · 2,080 written questions · 235 distinct askers · Read the full article

The safest of Labour seats changed hands on Thursday, and by Monday morning it had taken a Prime Minister with it. Andy Burnham — Mayor of Greater Manchester, out of the Commons since 2017 — won the Makerfield by-election with 54.8% of the vote, a majority of 9,241 over Reform UK on the highest by-election turnout since 2019; the seat had been vacated by Josh Simons expressly so that Burnham could stand. He was sworn in on Monday 22 June. The same morning, Sir Keir Starmer announced he would resign as Labour leader and Prime Minister, ending months of pressure that Burnham’s return had brought to a head — the seventh change of leader in a decade, set in motion by a single constituency a sitting government did not even lose. Around the earthquake, the Commons kept grinding: twelve divisions, an Armed Forces Bill pushed through report stage on the very day the leader fell, and 2,080 written questions from 235 members, with women’s pensions the subject that drew the most members in.

The divisions, closest first

National Security Bill, New Clause 3144–244

National Security Bill, Amendment 8143–249

National Security Bill, Amendment 13135–258

National Security Bill, Allocation of Time233–94

Armed Forces Bill, New Clause 4164–311

Armed Forces Bill, Amendment 11171–322

Opposition Day, Puberty blockers112–283

Opposition Day, Defence spending and readiness (Government amendment)294–110

Opposition Day, Defence spending and readiness108–307

National Security Bill, Amendment 385–317

Armed Forces Bill, New Clause 2274–323

Armed Forces Bill, New Clause 11104–391

Written questions, by department

Transport269Health243Defence180Home Office160Education143Housing14118 others944

The most-asked subjects

10 Internet: Children8 Tax Avoidance7 Companies: Registration7 Public Sector: Procurement7 Department for Work and Pensions: Women against State Pension Inequality7 State Retirement Pensions: Women

A sample of the week’s questions

Special Advisers: By-elections · Mike Wood, Conservative

What information does the Cabinet Office special adviser HR function hold on whether any special advisers have been seconded or taken unpaid leave to undertake political activity in parliamentary by-elections since 1 January 2026?

The answer As per the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, where a special adviser wishes to undertake work for a political party which does not arise out of government business they may do this either in their own time, outside office hours, or under a separate contract with the Party, working part-time for the Government. They may not use annual or unpaid leave for this purpose.

Domestic Abuse: Older People · Sonia Kumar, Labour

What steps is the Department taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support elderly domestic abuse victims?

The answer From April 2025, the Home Office has allocated nearly £800,000 to Hourglass to provide specialist helpline and advocacy support for older victims of VAWG. We will also publish a new national commissioning statement on VAWG to improve the provision of support for all victims, including older victims.

Feature

The seat that unseated a Prime Minister

The week’s set-piece happened outside the Chamber — at a count in Wigan, then at a lectern in Downing Street. Makerfield fell vacant in May when Josh Simons stood down to clear the way for Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester and Sir Keir Starmer’s most openly ambitious rival, who had been out of Parliament since 2017. On Thursday 18 June Burnham won it comfortably — 54.8% to Reform UK’s 34.5%, a majority of 9,241 on a 58.8% turnout, the highest at a by-election since 2019.

Every figure checked against the official Parliament record. henceforth.club