Makerfield Byelection

Outcome of contest for seat just outside Wigan could change the course of British politics for years to come Andy Burnham will face Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon in next month’s crucial Makerfield byelection in a clash that could change the course of British politics for years to come.Reform are billing Kenyon, a plumber and army reservist who contested the seat just outside Wigan in the 2024 general election, as a local champion taking on a professional politician who is using the seat for his own advantage. Continue reading...

Party confirms that no other candidates have been shortlisted for election expected to take place on 18 JuneUK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham has been confirmed as the candidate for the Makerfield byelection as Labour’s national executive committee rubber-stamped the mayor of Greater Manchester.Labour confirmed no other candidates had been shortlisted in the seat vacated by Josh Simons – with the byelection now widely expected to take place on 18 June , once the date is confirmed by Commons authorities. Continue reading...

If most popular Labour politician cannot win this seat then party’s electoral problems run deeper than Keir StarmerThe Makerfield byelection is bigger than Andy Burnham. Of the Labour MPs who were back on the constituency’s doorsteps in Hindley Green and Winstanley, just after an intensive local election campaign, many said the fight feels existential.It matters because it is probably the closest the UK will ever come to a direct presidential-style election, run through one single constituency and likely to decide the future of the Labour party. Continue reading...

Some in party fear all-out campaign could boost Reform UK chancesThe Greens are locked in an internal debate about how hard to challenge Andy Burnham in the Makerfield byelection, with some worried about allowing Reform UK to win and others wanting the party to go all out.While characterised by insiders as “very civilised”, the discussion has highlighted existing differences between Greens who believe concessions can be won from Labour through informal cooperation and others – including some newer leftwing activists – who argue it achieves little. Continue reading...

Reform, which won more than 50% of the local election vote, is likely to focus heavily on immigration and BrexitAndy Burnham faces a perilous race to win the Makerfield seat, his allies have warned, as he gears up to fight a byelection that could decide the long-term future of Labour and the country.The Greater Manchester mayor is likely to be confirmed as Labour’s candidate for the north-west constituency later this week, but those close to him say he faces an uphill battle to beat Reform UK. Nigel Farage’s party won more than 50% of the vote at the local elections and polling suggests Burnham is only marginally ahead. Continue reading...