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A political figure that many in Britain see as a potential successor to Prime Minister Keir Starmer just got a lot closer to power
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Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester and a longtime Labour Party heavyweight, won a special election in northwest England Thursday
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claiming a seat in Parliament with about 55% of the vote. On its face, it's just one parliamentary seat
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But the result immediately fuels speculation about Starmer's future. The prime minister has been fighting falling poll numbers
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a string of political setbacks, and growing discontent inside his own party
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Now Burnham, who has never hidden his national ambitions, will have a seat in Westminster and a much bigger platform
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That matters because Labour could replace its leader without holding a general election
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If the party chooses a new leader while maintaining its parliamentary majority, that person could become prime minister
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Everyone knows that politics isn't working. Everyone can feel that the country isn't where it should be
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Tonight could, just could, be the turning point. Starmer congratulated Burnham after the victory, saying voters backed Labour's message of hope and optimism
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Burnham is expected to take his seat in Parliament as early as next week
