See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 08:36 BST, 18 June 2026 | Updated: 15:10 BST, 18 June 2026
A host of Labour big beasts descended on Makerfield today as Andy Burnham's bid to become PM faces a moment of truth.Polling stations are open in the by-election as the Greater Manchester Mayor attempts to return to the Commons so he can challenge Keir Starmer.The outcome, due in the early hours tomorrow, could decide who will be the next inhabitant of 10 Downing Street. And in a worrying sign for Sir Keir, even allies appear to be hedging their bets. Alongside Angela Rayner and deputy leader Lucy Powell, supposedly loyalist Cabinet minister Darren Jones was also helping out in the constituency. There are fears that whatever happens Labour is set to swing to the Left, with demands for more tax hikes and spending. Chancellor Rachel Reeves - who like Sir Keir has not been to Makerfield - warned that tearing up her fiscal rules would breach the party's election manifesto.Although the PM has vowed to fight on, allies of Mr Burnham are plotting ways to force his departure. Many would prefer a 'coronation', rather than a formal leadership contest that could paralyse the Government for months.Cabinet ministers including Ed Miliband are said to be ready to quit if the PM will not go voluntarily, although there are divisions over how quickly the coup would be initiated. Polling stations are open as Andy Burnham (pictured today) attempts to return to the Commons so he can challenge Keir StarmerIn a final plea, Nigel Farage warned the contest was 'tight' and voting for anyone apart from Reform's Rob Kenyon (left) was effectively supporting Labour Lucy Powell was among the Labour big beasts in Makerfield today as the by-election reaches its climaxAngela Rayner was in the constituency to help get out the vote today Darren Jones, known as a Starmer loyalist, was another notable presence in Makerfield today Al Carns, who quit as defence minister last week and has hinted at his own leadership ambitions, was also out and about in the seatIntriguingly Mr Burnham met Wes Streeting, another potential leadership contender, in Makerfield on Monday.A source played down speculation they were thrashing out a joint approach, telling the Guardian 'no deals were done'.Polls have suggested Mr Burnham is on track for victory, although opinion is notoriously hard to gauge at constituency level.He has been battling it out with Reform in Makerfield, but Nigel Farage's candidate has been hampered by competition from Restore Britain on the Right. In a final plea, Mr Farage warned the contest was 'tight' and voting for anyone apart from Reform was effectively supporting Labour. Yesterday Sir Keir attempted to buy off Mr Burnham saying he was ready to offer him a 'big' job in Government.But that has been dismissed by the mayor, who used a rally last night to say he would 'change politics' and take the 'fight as high as I can possibly take it'.Allies insisted 'the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government's failings'.Mr Burnham wheeled out another 'luvvie' yesterday, with actor Hugh Grant coming to help the campaign on the ground. In a video posted to X just after polls opened this morning - soundtracked by Manchester band New Order - Mr Burnham said: 'This is a change by-election.'We left Westminster 10 years ago to build something different, something better.'We worked on a place-first basis, rather than party first, problem solving rather than point scoring.'We've taken that fight for people here, and I'll carry that fight forward if I am lucky enough to be elected as the MP for Makerfield. I'll take that fight as high as I can possibly take it.'Makerfield is one of three parliamentary by-elections taking place on Thursday.The other two are in the Scottish seats of Aberdeen South, and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, where SNP MPs Stephen Gethins and Stephen Flynn have stood down after winning elections to the Scottish Parliament in May. Although Sir Keir has vowed to fight on, allies of Mr Burnham are plotting ways to force his departure Former Cabinet minister Anneliese Dodds was in Makerfield today
