There has never been a by-election like the one looming in Makerfield. Andy Burnham may have been prevented by Labour's ruling body from standing in a by-election back in February, but now the red carpet seems to have been rolled out and no-one else's name was even put forward.

Reform, which won more than 50% of the local election vote, is likely to focus heavily on immigration and Brexit

The stakes could hardly be higher for Labour – or the country – at the Makerfield by-election. The constituency now finds itself in the bizarre position of picking the next prime…