Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAndy Burnham will not accept a position in Sir Keir Starmer's government if he wins the Makerfield by-election, according to sources close to him. This decision comes despite Sir Keir publicly stating he wants Burnham to play a significant role in a Labour government. Burnham is widely expected to launch a Labour leadership challenge should he be elected as an MP. He is set to deliver a speech this evening in a final push for votes ahead of Thursday's polls. Separately, the prime minister is facing calls from Wes Streeting to set a timetable for his departure. In fullMakerfield by-election – latest: Burnham will refuse Starmer’s job offer, allies say ahead of crucial voteThank 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

Keir Starmer has signalled he would offer the Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham a position in his Cabinet if he is re-elected as an MP in this week's Makerfield by-election

Speaking from the G7 summit amid growing threats to his leadership, Sir Keir Starmer described Andy Burnham as a ‘huge asset to our party and our movement’

Keir Starmer praised Andy Burnham as a 'fantastic asset' and said he wanted him to have a 'big role' in Government if he wins the Makerfield by-election tomorrow.

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…

Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that Andy Burnham would be given a Cabinet role as he said he had “spoken to him many times in recent weeks”.

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAndy Burnham will not accept a position in…

The most important by-election in decades could be the first in history to decide who is prime minister – with the fate of the government in the hands of an electorate of 76,641…