Andy Burnham said the vote is an opportunity to 'change Labour' as as his high-stakes battle for the Makerfield constituency ramps up.

The Labour Party has selected Andy Burnham as its candidate for the Makerfield by-election while Reform has picked a plumber to stand again.

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…