The date for the Makerfield by-election has been confirmed. Voters in the Greater Manchester constituency will go to the polls on 18 June.

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…

Local pipesman Robert Kenyon is among the leading contenders to take on Andy Burnham in a by-election expected next month.