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 people in Makerfield

Editorial: Andy Burnham will finally find out whether he is to return to Westminster this week – and be able to launch his bid for PM. Labour must resolve its leadership crisis…

Mr Burnham hopes to win Thursday’s Makerfield by-election and could then launch a campaign to replace Sir Keir as prime minister and Labour leader