- Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, achieved a landslide victory over Reform UK in the crucial Makerfield by-election, hailing the win as as a “turning point.”
- Before the by-election, Mr Burnham reportedly backed Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's stringent efforts to crack down on immigration.
- Reform UK previously labelled Mr Burnham “open-borders Andy”, but sources close to Burnham's team indicated he wants to “reframe” Mahmood’s changes while supporting attempts to limit legal and illegal migration.
- Home Office reforms include increasing the default qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain to 10 years, restricting benefits and social housing eligibility, and potentially requiring those granted asylum to leave if their country becomes safe.
- Keir Starmer has announced he will resign as Labour leader, which could pave the way for Andy Burnham to become prime minister in the coming months.
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