Luton MP says Burnham by-election victory shows Labour must change course

Luton North MP Sarah Owen has said Andy Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election demonstrates that voters are demanding a different style of politics and has renewed her call for a change in Labour’s national leadership.

The Labour MP made the comment online after Mr Burnham secured a decisive win in the by-election, a result that has intensified debate about the future direction of the party amid a potential leadership challenge to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Ms Owen, who has previously criticised the Prime Minister’s response to Labour’s recent local electoral setbacks, said the result in Makerfield should serve as a warning that voters want politicians who are more closely connected to communities and Labour’s traditional values.

In a social media post, which include a clip of her appearance on BBC’s Today programme, she said: “Andy Burnham’s striking result in Makerfield shows us that politics can’t carry on as usual. People want a different sort of representation, and they deserve it too.

“We now need a managed process to change our national leadership. Makerfield is just the start of how we reconnect with Labour values.”

The comments represent growing criticism from Labour MPs of the party leadership and Ms Owen has previously been one that has called for a transition at the top of the party following a series of disappointing electoral performances.

Supporters of Burnham have argued that his political approach, which focuses heavily on local issues, public services and regional investment, has resonated with voters who feel disconnected from Westminster politics.

Owen has previously argued that Labour must do more to demonstrate how government policies are improving people’s lives and has called for the party to return to what she describes as core Labour values.

Her latest comment comes amid continuing uncertainty over Labour’s future direction, with the outcome in Makerfield likely to increase pressure on the party leadership to respond to growing concerns from MPs and members alike, which could mark the beginning of a wider movement for change within Labour.