Andy Burnham may have a route back to Westminster – and a path to the Labour leadership. But can he defeat Reform UK in Makerfield? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s north of England correspondent Hannah al-Othman, who has been talking to voters in the constituency

Winning the Makerfield by-election could be a major challenge for Andy Burnham, as he is eyeing up a new role in Westminster.

Andy Burnham has been offered a path back to Parliament after a Labour MP stood down, triggering a by-election which the Mayor of Greater Manchester hopes to contest.