Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield byelection for Labour, gaining 55% of the vote on an exceptionally high turnout of 58.7%. He won 9,000 more votes than Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon, in what turned out to be an unusual byelection swing to the party of government.

The scale of a result like this sends a message of its own to Reform UK, to Labour, and to the incumbent prime minister, Keir Starmer. But what can we make of Burnham’s message in his victory speech?

After thanking his opponents for the “civil debate,” Burnham began with a charge that politics is not working. “Everyone can feel the country isn’t where it should be,” he said, adding, “Tonight could – just could – be the turning point.”

A recurring theme was hope for the future. Campaign material urged voters to “Vote Andy. Vote Hope”. The emphasis on hope could be read as a rebuke to both Starmer and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Starmer for his unfulfilled promises in government, and Farage for his divisive rhetoric in opposition.

Another key message was change. On the eve of the election, Burnham emphasised “a chance to vote for change. For change in politics. For change in our economy.”

Burnham told the packed conference centre in Wigan that “this borough … made a loud cry for change” in the May elections, when Reform UK took all eight council wards in the Makerfield constituency. He told the audience that the message on doorsteps was that “there will be no second chance” for Labour to bring such change.

Burnham’s campaign material called for voters to “change Labour”, using imagery that evoked the northern soul movement. The same material urged people to stay hopeful, and to “keep the faith”. Meanwhile, Burnham’s victory speech promised fresh hope for his new constituency.

A short congratulatory message on X from Starmer welcomed “Labour’s new MP for Makerfield”, stating that: “Voters chose Labour’s campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate.”

But in the speech itself, Burnham did not mention Labour by name. This detail was picked up on by Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice, who argued that the byelection result was a vote to get Starmer out of Number 10.

Burnham instead spoke of hope as his value, not Labour’s. He referred to “my own party” being in need of change, and to “Westminster” having neglected the north and a broader swath of English cities.

The importance of place

Burnham has been described as using a local lens to inform a national vision, arguably through a nostalgic view of the north of England. The victory speech played to that approach. The outgoing mayor of Greater Manchester argued that politics “at the national level” had to change “in order that all English cities be what they can be”.

He praised Makerfield for having “shone in the world’s spotlight” during the campaign. Makerfield, Burnham argued, would become synonymous with bringing about much-needed change throughout the UK.

Crucially, he also spoke of a “Makerfield test” at the heart of British politics, which would “ensure the places Westminster has neglected will now get fairness”. It remains to be seen exactly what this test will look like but it may reflect the “Manchesterism” – the idea that the rest of the UK can learn from the city’s rapid economic rise – with which Burnham aimed to inspire change.

He spoke warmly of his nine years as mayor, praising the area for all it had given to him. He added that he would always take a “place-first, rather than a party-first” approach, prioritising “the north, and everywhere forgotten by Westminster”.

But what of Burnham’s approach to the Labour party? His victory speech made frequent reference to paths: “turning away from the path” to the “divided, dark politics” of today’s US, and putting the country “back on the right path”. A word like “path” implies a narrative and a clear direction, but also a future destination that may lie elsewhere.

Addressing the near-universal assumption that the byelection win will be a step towards a leadership challenge, Burnham said that Makerfield “will never be a stepping stone to me, but instead will be my touchstone”.

Senior Labour figures have been keen to stress that Burnham’s win is a victory for Labour. The culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, celebrated Burnham being “back in the top team, at the top table, helping to drive that change”.

But does a place in the team, helping to drive change, capture Burnam’s ambitions? His speech emphasised leading “by example, from the front”, and Burnham spoke of “my own party”, and of “unfinished business” back in Westminster.

Starmer has pledged to offer Burnham a cabinet post if he won in Makerfield. Like Nandy, Starmer has said he hopes Burnham will play a big part in the Labour government. Burnham has the same idea – but his vision entails a bigger job than Starmer would like.

Diana Henry is the Telegraph’s much-loved cookery writer. She shares recipes each week, for everything from speedy family dinners to special menus that friends will remember for months. She is also a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio 4, and her journalism and recipe books, including Simple and How to Eat a Peach, are multi-award-winning. A mother of two sons, Diana can satisfy even the fussiest of eaters.   

Former EastEnders actress Gurlaine Kaur Garcha, who previously played Ash Panesar on the long-running BBC soap, has married her partner Max after a year-long engagement

EastEnders star Gurlaine Kaur Garcha has married her partner after a year-long engagement. The actress, 32, is best known known for having previously played Ash Panesar on the long-running BBC soap, but she left the programme just over three years ago.

On Friday, she took to social media to announce the news that she and her partner Max had tied the knot. Alongside a selection of snaps from the big day, she wrote on Instagram: “17.6.26.”

A slew of Gurlaine’s former co-stars were quick to congratulate her. Former Strictly Come Dancing star Balvinder Sopal, who plays Gurlaine’s on-screen mum Suki, wrote: “Gorgeous baby. Congratulations.”

Emma Barton, known for her role as Honey Mitchell, wrote: “Gorgeous… congratulations beautiful,” whilst Denis Fox actress Diane Parish simply said; “Congrats”

Last year, the actress, who last year was seen in an episode of the Amazon Prime hit The Girlfriend, shared the happy news of her engagement with fans on Instagram, flashing a huge diamond ring while sipping a cocktail abroad.

“v happy & v engaged!!!!!!” she wrote, keeping the caption short and sweet. Although Gurlaine’s kept her partner’s identity private, she confirmed the romantic proposal took place while on holiday in Ibiza.

Gurlaine made her debut in Albert Square back in 2019 as Ash; a confident, no-nonsense doctor who immediately made an impression. She arrived as the first member of the Panesar clan, with her brothers and mum Suki introduced shortly after.

Her character quickly became a key figure in several dramatic storylines from tense family fallouts and fractured relationships to fast-paced scenes at the hospital. She was also part of a same-sex romance with Iqra, making Ash one of the few LGBTQ+ South Asian characters in soap at the time.

Ash wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, often clashing with her mum Suki, whose controlling nature added even more fuel to their fiery dynamic. Her arrival was also seen as a big moment for representation, with viewers praising EastEnders for spotlighting a British Sikh woman in a lead medical role – something rarely seen on mainstream TV.

Gurlaine took a short break from the show in 2022 before officially bowing out in early 2023. At the time, soap bosses thanked her for her contribution, while the actress told fans she was “excited for what’s to come”.

Since then, Gurlaine’s kept a low profile but still shares snippets of her life online – posting travel pictures, moments with friends, and positive messages with her followers.

And while she’s stayed off-screen for now, fans will no doubt be thrilled to see her celebrating such a personal milestone.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

Video footage shows a huge crowd of around 40 or 50 revellers following the fight as they moved across the festival site, before a steward eventually broke it up.

A fight broke out at TRNSMT this evening while a huge crowd looked on.

Two teenagers were seen punching each other close to the big wheel area of the festival around 8pm.

Video footage shows a huge crowd of around 40 or 50 revellers following the fight as they moved across the festival site, before a steward eventually broke it up.

One onlooker said that stewards were slow to respond.

She said: “The guy that was getting battered looked absolutely knackered.

“It just seems like a lot of people here can’t handle their drink – they were really going for it.

“I said to a few of the stewards.- ‘there’s a fight can you help’. But they just said ‘aw it’ll be all right.

“And then I said to a couple of other stewards but they just said ‘oh ok’.

“When they were at the big wheel, a guy came in a yellow vest with a radio and split it up.

“But before that it was just a free for all – there were about 50 people following them.”

TRNSMT organisers DF Concerts have been contacted for comment.

Scotland’s biggest music festival opened its doors to music fans once again today at Glasgow Green from today.

Acts such as Kasabian, CMAT, Richard Ashcroft, Amy Macdonald and Lewis Capaldi will take to the stage and revellers will undoubtedly make the most of their weekend of live music.

Tonight, the festival is also showing Scotland’s game against Morocco in a huge fan zone.

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Three days after carving out a slender win over Armagh, Jim McGuinness revealed his plans to his team.

Odhran Mac Niallais, who scored a crucial Donegal goal against Armagh, could feel the belief grow as McGuinness spoke 12 years ago.

Donegal were already 6/1 outsiders as Dublin – unbeatable in the eyes of many – lay in wait in an All-Ireland semi-final.

This was the one McGuinness had planned for.

The Donegal GAA Centre in Convoy was still in the early stages of its development as McGuinness outlined his blueprint in a dank portacabin.

“No videos, tactics boards or anything like that,” Mac Niallais recalled. “He spoke to us for a good half-an-hour to 40 minutes and basically told us how we would beat Dublin and what we would have to do.

“Nobody else spoke at all. It was half-an-hour of just Jim talking about how we could hurt Dublin.

“At that time, you had three weeks between games and I remember Jim saying to us: ‘We’re going to train like we have never trained before’ and I was terrified!”

It was a case of repeat, repeat, repeat for Donegal over the three weeks.

In front of a heaving Croke Park, Donegal staged an ambush for the ages.

Donegal were five down and pailing water from the boat when, suddenly, the tide turned.

A Ryan McHugh goal lit the fuse and Donegal added two more goals, through McHugh and Colm McFadden, to silence Hill 16.

“Definitely one of my best days for Donegal,” Mac Niallais said of the 3-14 to 0-17 win.

“In the first 20 minutes, everything Dublin kicked went over the bar. They were stroking over from everywhere. I was only a young lad and thinking I wanted the ground to swallow me up. But we got a purple patch and we made hay.

“The one positive in the early part of the game was that we got a lot of kick-outs away. We just weren’t very efficient on it for a while.

“The momentum shifted then. Momentum is a massive thing and we had it all of a sudden. We got a goal and tagged on a few points. You could just feel the change. Dublin were probably going in at half-time thinking: ‘Jesus, what has happened?’.”

Celtic and Manchester United legend Paddy Crerand’s mother, Sarah (Boyle) was a grandaunt of Mac Niallais. Gaoth Dobhair football great Hughie Tim Boyle was a granduncle so the football bloodlines were strong.

His languid, elegant style stood out and Mac Niallais was an All-Star nominee in 2014.

It had been a long road to that point. Three years beforehand, at 18, he played two Dr McKenna Cup games and was brought back into the panel in the winter of 2012. Donegal were All-Ireland champions, but they had a painful defence, falling to Mayo heavily in an All-Ireland quarter final.

MacNiallais wondered what the future held and but for the intervention of Gaoth Dobhair and Donegal team-mates Neil and Eamon McGee he might’ve taken a different course.

He said: “They were a huge help to me. They were massive. To be honest, I probably wouldn’t have stuck around if it wasn’t for them. They pushed me to go for it, to stick at it. It was tough in 2013 when I didn’t play a whole lot and I was probably thinking that I wouldn’t get a chance at all.”

By his own admission, Mac Niallais was “never a man for working hard or training hard”, but he knuckled down. Extra training and gym sessions every morning that winter took Mac Niallais into a new orbit.

In a Donegal team littered with star quality, Mac Niallais emerged as a real weapon, often deployed at midfield by McGuinness.

Mac Niallais played as Donegal wrestled the provincial title back from Monaghan.

He said: “That Ulster in 2014 was a very sweet one – especially after the disappointment of 2013. It was an amazing experience.

“That Ulster was the springboard for me really. I felt more confident that I belonged there.

“I was privileged to play with that Donegal team. I was training every night with the likes of Michael Murphy, Karl Lacey and Neil McGee – some of the best Donegal have ever had. I was actually in dreamland more than anything and I definitely wasn’t feeling like I deserved it.”

Mac Niallais isn’t in the least bit surprised that Donegal are thriving again after the second coming of McGuinness. Coaxed back following the swift departure of Paddy Carr and then interim manager Aidan O’Rourke in 2023.

He said: “Jim operates at a different level. If he told you to run through a brick wall, you’d do it. He has such an aura about him. When he talks, you listen. He brings massive belief with him, too. He instills that belief in a team and he can make you feel 10 foot tall. That is such a powerful thing. The Donegal team was struggling and you could see the effect Jim coming back had. There was such a buzz around the whole county.

“He got Murphy back too. Michael is in some shape. I’ve never seen him as lean. It’s great to have him back at it. When he retired that time, I thought it was too soon. Michael has so much to offer – and he has proved that. The break probably did him good.

After beating Dublin in that epic semi-final, Donegal were beaten by Kerry in the All-Ireland final.

Twelve years have passed, but the lingering regrets remain.

Mac Niallais said: “It is a big regret, definitely, that we didn’t get over the line in the final. I think about it most days. It’s just one of those things. For every young lad playing football, winning an All-Ireland is the dream. We came so close and didn’t do it. It’s not that it bothers me or that I’m losing sleep over it, but it crosses the mind often.”

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Marcus Rashford scored for England in their World Cup opener against Croatia but complained of muscle tightness at the end of Wednesday’s game in Dallas

Marcus Rashford has given England a fitness scare ahead of their World Cup clash with Ghana. The forward complained of muscle tightness at the end of England’s win over Croatia as he also appeared to be feeling his hamstring.

The Manchester United man, who spent last season on loan at Barcelona, came on as a late substitute, and his electric pace helped him score a fourth goal to seal the win over Croatia. However, it is hoped that Rashford did not suffer any major issue ahead of England’s next Group match with Ghana in Boston on Tuesday.

But clearly they will be taking care of England players in the quick turnaround of a tournament, especially as they have all been training and playing in different weather conditions, which may have resulted in several complaining of cramp.

Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel has spoken about the value of his wingers – and particularly how there can be starters and “finishers” to come on from the bench.

Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon started against Croatia, with Bukayo Saka and Rashford coming on in the closing stages to great effect.

Tuchel plans to use them in a similar fashion through the tournament and also said that Saka is closer to full match fitness now after an Achilles issue.

Tuchel said after the game: “Bukayo is ready and will get more and more ready. I think once we go to the last game of this group he will be ready. He was strong in training in small spaces. It was just a matter of if the game was open and he was up and down.”

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While on Rashford, Tuchel said after the win on Wednesday: “He struggled for us to be decisive when he started, but he was always trying and got a bit unlucky for a long time.

“We just had a talk [on Tuesday] where I told him that I’m very, very impressed with his last 16 days – how he was in camp, how he pushes on the field.”

Meanwhile, England’s players have been given a full day off on Friday and have been told they can relax with WAGs, friends and loved ones as they please, reports the Mirror.

Several families were at the Croatia game in Dallas and saw the players afterwards while they have also been allowed to see the stars in camp in Kansas City.

Thousands of Man United fans upgraded their matchday last season. This is how they did it.

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Diana Henry is the Telegraph’s much-loved cookery writer. She shares recipes each week, for everything from speedy family dinners to special menus that friends will remember for months. She is also a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio 4, and her journalism and recipe books, including Simple and How to Eat a Peach, are multi-award-winning. A mother of two sons, Diana can satisfy even the fussiest of eaters.   

Emergency services are responding to a train crash between Luton and Bedford this evening, after two passenger trains collided on the London St Pancras line

One person has been confirmed dead after two trains collided this evening (Friday), with several more injured and a major incident confirmed. There has been a large emergency response following the incident between London St Pancras and Bedford, which involved two passenger trains.

Images of the aftermath appear to show two damaged East Midlands Railway (EMR) trains that are still on the tracks. At least one is a Luton Airport Express train and passengers could be seen gathering by the neighbouring fields.

The collision happened just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6.

Bedford hospital was expecting at least 50 casualties to arrive and had ordered “all hands on deck”, The Times is reporting. Appeals have been sent for staff to come in to assist with the response.

In a statement, British Transport Police said: “Officers are continuing to respond to a collision between two trains on the line in Bedford, following reports around 5.15pm today (19 June). We know that a number of people have been injured and one person has very sadly died.

“A major incident has been declared, and officers are continuing to respond at the scene alongside colleagues from Bedfordshire Police and the local Fire and Rescue and Ambulance Services. The collision involved two East Midlands Railway trains.”

Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy said: “We’ve declared a major incident and a significant emergency service response is ongoing. We’re working at pace to establish exactly what’s happened and will provide further information as soon as we are able to”.

The statement added: “Officers from British Transport Police and Bedfordshire Police are on scene with colleagues from the local authority to assist any members of the public concerned about loved ones.”

ThamesLink stated on its website: “The emergency services are dealing with an incident between Luton and Bedford. Whilst they carry out their work, all lines are closed.

“As a result, trains between London St Pancras International and Bedford / Leicester may be cancelled or revised. This is expected until the end of the day.”

It further added: “Trains are unable to run in or out on London St Pancras for the remainder of this evening. Passengers are advised not to travel.”

National Rail confirmed: “Emergency services are dealing with an incident between Luton and Bedford. Whilst they carry out their work, all lines are closed. As a result, trains between London St Pancras International and Bedford / Leicester may be cancelled or revised. This is expected until the end of the day.”

East Midlands Railway services said that its services to and from London St Pancras are also suspended for the remainder of today.

The fire and rescue service said: “Crews are currently in attendance at an incident on the railway just south of Bedford. Please avoid the area. Thank you for your co-operation.”

East of England Ambulance Service said: “We have sent a number of resources, including air ambulance and our Hazardous Area Response Team, to a major incident on the railway south of #Bedford. We encourage people to avoid the area.

“Further updates will be provided in due course. Please only call 999 in an emergency.”

Dr Pete Knapp wrote on Bluesky: “Train heading south from Bedford crashed at 17:12. Front of train ok, third carriage off rails. “I’m ok with bloody legs and back impact.

“Others are not good. Sudden crash, no slowing down or horns. No warning.

“No explosion, just stopped instantly.”

Dr Knapp, 40, told the Press Association: “There was a moment of being flung into the chair in front, and then I saw smoke. People were crying, screaming, people were so scared and confused.

“I got up and I saw a lot of people who were unable to speak, had broken legs, and then I managed to get out of the train and because I’m quite thin I was able to squeeze out through the gap in the doors.”

He added: “My first thought was I needed to get out of the train just in case it was a terrorist explosion, I thought it was safer to get off the train.”

He said he had not felt the train slow down before the crash, but other passengers told him they had. He told PA he saw people with “life-threatening, major injuries, minor injuries” as well as “people with bandages, people who couldn’t see straight”, while others like him were still able to walk.

He said: “I’ve got blood all over my trousers and my back hurts like hell but I’m alright.”

Bedford and Kempston MP Mohammad Yasin said he was “very sorry” to hear of the train crash between Bedford and Luton and would share more information “soon”.

In a post on his Facebook page, he said: “I’m very sorry to hear there has been a train collision between Bedford and Luton. Emergency services are at the scene.

“I will try to share more details soon.”

Heidi Alexander said she was “deeply concerned” by reports of a collision between two passenger trains in Bedfordshire.

In a post on X, the Transport Secretary said: “I’m deeply concerned to hear reports of the collision involving 2 East Midlands Railway passenger trains.

“I’m grateful to emergency services who are on the scene, attending to those affected.

“We’re working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to support passengers.”

A Rail, Maritime and Transport union spokesperson said: “We are deeply concerned by reports of a train collision between Bedford and Luton and the serious injuries sustained by on-board train staff and passengers. The thoughts of the whole union are with those affected and we continue to monitor the situation.”