- Polls have closed in the Makerfield by-election, a contest widely regarded as significant for the future of UK politics.
- Andy Burnham , the Greater Manchester mayor, is standing for Labour in Makerfield, aiming for a return to Westminster and potentially challenging Keir Starmer.
- The race is a tight head-to-head between Burnham and Reform candidate Robert Kenyon, who has faced scrutiny over controversial past social media posts.
- Makerfield, traditionally a safe Labour seat, has shown a recent shift towards Reform, with the party taking over 50% of the vote in local elections in the constituency's wards.
- Despite Keir Starmer's offer of a "big" government role, Burnham's allies suggest he is not interested, hinting at a potential leadership challenge to the Labour leader.
IN FULL
