It was a victory that surpassed the expectations of Andy Burnham ’s campaign team, of Labour MPs, of everyone in Westminster. Not only did the former Greater Manchester mayor win the Makerfield by-election but he almost doubled Labour's majority, taking it to 9,231. His triumph showed that a progressive Labour vision can beat the divisive politics of Nigel Farage , and gave him a springboard as he sets his sights on Downing Street. Across the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP), allies of Keir