Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleVoters in Makerfield, north-west England, are going to the polls on Thursday in a by-election that could impact Sir Keir Starmer's leadership of the Labour Party. Andy Burnham is expected to challenge Sir Keir for the leadership if he wins the seat, having gathered support among backbenchers.Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon also has significant support in the constituency, but the party is worried about losing voters to Rupert Lowe’s party, Restore Britain, which takes a harder line on migration.Former health secretary Wes Streeting has indicated he would join a leadership contest if Mr Burnham were to challenge Sir Keir. Polls opened at 7am and will close at 10pm on Thursday.In fullMakerfield by-election live: Polls open in historic vote as Burnham eyes Starmer leadership challengeThank 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

Britain holds a crucial by-election today. The vote could trigger a leadership challenge against Labour's Keir Starmer. Andy Burnham, a popular mayor, aims to win the seat to run…

LONDON, June 17 — Britain holds a special vote on Thursday that is expected to set in motion an attempt to oust Labour leader Keir Starmer as prime minister.Below is everything...

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleA Reform UK board member has admitted that…

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…

Thursday's contest could pave the way for Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to challenge Keir Starmer's premiership.

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…

Keir Starmer's future as Britain's prime minister is on the line in a special election in Makerfield in northwest England.

Britain was holding a key local election on Thursday that could trigger the endgame for Labour leader Keir Starmer's beleaguered premiership, or win him a reprieve.

Reform UK worries over losing support to Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain, which may split the right-wing vote

Andy Burnham looks to return to Westminster via the Makerfield by-election, paving the way for a potential Labour leadership challenge.

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleVoters in Makerfield, north-west England,…

Polling stations have opened as Andy Burnham attempts to return to the Commons so he can challenge Keir Starmer.

Residents of Makerfield vote in crucial by-electionLabour nervously confident Burnham will win seat in parliamentResults due early tomorrowPrime Minister Starmer says he will...

Polls suggest it will be a tight race between Labour candidate Andy Burnham and Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon

Burnham is regarded by many Labour MPs as the party's best chance of recovery following the disastrous May local elections. #EuropeNews

Andy Burnham hopes a successful byelection will mean he can encourage Keir Starmer to step aside as prime minister

Everything you need to know about the high-stakes vote that could determine the UK’s next prime minister