That's two questions answered... one to go

INSIDE the Labour Party they had three questions about Andy Burnham. In Ashton-in-Makerfield voters answered two of them conclusively.

- By ROB WILLIAMS

The third is still to be decided. Could Burnham win and how convincingly was asked and answered in the early hours of yesterday.

The third question, what victory would mean for the future of the party, remains pending.

There was much talk ahead of the Makerfield by-election of how close it could be between the insurgent Reform Party and Labour's King of the North. In the end it was nowhere near.

Burnham romped home with 54.82 per cent of the votes cast, some 24,937.

Reform managed 34.51pc of the vote, some 15,696. The much-anticipated intervention from Restore, considered by some to be a decisive factor ahead of the election, proved an anti-climax as Rupert Lowe's party picked up just 6.84pc of the vote.

In his victory speech, Burnham said: “Everyone knows that politics isn’t working. Everyone can feel that the country isn’t where it should be. Tonight could, just could, be the turning point. From here on I will give everything I have got to make it so. To ensure the name Makerfield is forever synonymous with bringing about the change this country needs, bringing back something we've lost - hope - hope for the future.

“I am proud that this place has shone in the world’s spotlight for the last few weeks, and the warmth, humour and hospitality of its people has been on show for all to see. It will never be a stepping stone to me, but instead will be my touchstone. A Makerfield test at the heart of British politics will make sure that the places Westminster has neglected will now get fairness”

If Makerfield was the real world test of Burnham’s pitch to lead the Labour Party and the fightback against Reform, it was a test that he ultimately passed with flying colours.