Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestylePolls 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 fullPolls close in Makerfield by-election that could decide Starmer’s futureThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Makerfield polls close with result set to have huge bearing on Starmer’s future
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestylePolls 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 fullPolls close in Makerfield by-election that could decide Starmer’s futureThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
