Candidates in the by-election race that could decide who will be Britain’s next prime minister are making their final pitches to voters ahead of Thursday’s vote.
Manchester Lord Mayor Andy Burnham is hoping to become an MP – which would make him eligible to challenge Keir Starmer for the leadership of the ruling Labor Party.
Burnham – whose success as mayor of the north has earned him the nickname “king of the north” – is a well-known Labor politician among the British public, and has also emerged as the preferred leader of Labor members. in a Survation poll earlier this year.
Burnham’s main opponent in the race is Robert Kenyon of Reform England, a local plumber, who came second in the seat in the last general election of 2024. But while the right-wing Reform party is leading in the national elections, the party’s hopes of taking the seat of Makerfield have been dimmed by the power of Restore England, a small reform party.
A British Reform victory in Makerfield would give Burnham a reputation as a potential candidate to replace Reform leader Nigel Farage after Labor suffered a heavy defeat in May’s local elections.
But Starmer has insisted he will fight off any challenge from Burnham. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting has also made it clear that he will stand in any contest.
POLITICO brings you all the latest news as Makerfield’s campaign winds down, results are announced and results emerge.
