The Makerfield by-election will be taking place later this week.
Voters in the constituency in the north west of England could be shaping the near future of UK politics, with Labour candidate Andy Burnham primed for a challenge to Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership should he win a parliamentary seat.
The by-election was triggered in May when the previous Makerfield MP Josh Simons resigned his seat to allow Mr Burnham the opportunity to return to Westminster.
Mr Simons had previously earned the seat in 2024, claiming a 5,399 majority over Reform UK during the general election.
Fourteen candidates are standing for election this time round, and the local area has been awash with MPs, journalists and activists in recent weeks ahead of the vote.
Here is everything you need to know about the Makerfield by-election.
When is the by-election taking place?
The Makerfield by-election will be taking place on Thursday 18 June.
Polls will be open from 7am to 10pm, and voters must bring a form of ID to be able to cast their vote.
When will we know the results?
When polls close, the count will begin shortly after 10pm on Thursday evening.
The results are then expected in the early hours of Friday morning, probably around 4 or 5am.
Who are the candidates?
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham is the big name on the ballot.
Mr Burnham previously served as the Labour MP for Leigh from 2001 until 2017, holding several cabinet positions, including Secretary of State for Health from 2009 to 2010.
He would be required to step down as Mayor should he become elected.
Robert Kenyon is Reform UK’s candidate.
Mr Kenyon is a plumber and army reservist who also contested the seat in the 2024 general election.
His social media activity has come under scrutiny in recent weeks, with allegations of deleted posts containing sexist, violent and homophobic messages.
The Restore Britain party has announced local businesswoman Rebecca Shepherd, 53, as its candidate in Makerfield.
Recent polls have suggested that Restore Britain could force a split in the right-wing vote that would help Mr Burnham claim victory.
The other candidates in the by-election are:
- Jake Austin, Liberal Democrats
- Count Binface, Count Binface Party
- Dan Clarke, Libertarian Party
- John Alfred Dyer, Independent
- Ed Gemmell, Climate Party
- Paul Richard Gould, Independent
- Alan 'Howlin' Laud Hope, The Official Monster Raving Loony Party
- Robert Pownall, Independent
- Sarah Wakefield, Green Party
- Peter Ward, Rejoin EU
- Michael Winstanley, Conservative Party
What are the latest polls and odds saying?
According to the latest polls, Labour and Andy Burnham have the edge over Reform UK in a tight race.
Polling by Opinium for campaign group Forward democracy has Labour getting 46% of the vote, with Reform on 41% and Restore Britain on 7%.
No other party is likely to keep its deposit, with the Green Party on 3%, the Conservatives on 2% and the Liberal Democrats on 1%.
Betting companies also have Labour on top, with odds shortening on Mr Burnham in recent days, and drifting on the right-wing parties.
Latest odds have Mr Burnham at 1/4, with Reform at 3/1 and Restore Britain around 20/1.
