The win strengthens Andy Burnham’s position as a leading contender to replace Keir Starmer as Labour Party leader and, potentially, prime minister|Scottish Government|CC BY 2.0

Andy Burnham, the popular mayor of Greater Manchester, won a special election to enter Parliament and signaled Friday that he intends to use the platform to challenge embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership.

Starmer said he would fight to remain in office, even as a growing number of colleagues urged him to step aside.

The win strengthens Burnham’s position as a leading contender to replace Keir Starmer as Labour Party leader and, potentially, prime minister. He secured nearly 55% of the 45,510 votes cast in a crowded field of more than a dozen candidates.