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Poll: Voter cynicism remains a potent threat to incumbents across the globe

by-election is the Reform U.K. candidate — whose victory would likely end Burnham’s leadership ambitions, plunge Labour into unprecedented turmoil and send the national government into fresh disarray. But Makerfield

Starmer’s future hangs in balance after Burnham’s Makerfield election win

Makerfield, the suburban northern ward whose by-election looks set to determine the UK’s next prime minister, has been visited by swarms of activists and journalists. Political party volunteers have been busy knocking

Wes Streeting pledges 'wealth tax that works'

Makerfield on Thursday last week, paving the way for Burnham to stand as Labour's candidate in the forthcoming by-election

Why UK’s Makerfield by-election matters far beyond one parliamentary seat

Makerfield in northwest England has found itself in the eye of the storm of [British politics](/news/2026/6/15/what-a-uk-courts-backing-of-the-palestine-action-terror-ban-means) with a by-election on Thursday that will not only produce a new member of parliament but could

A political nerd’s guide to Britain’s by-election

by-election rarely constitutes a significant shift in power. Most are quickly forgotten. Makerfield is different, in every sense. Here, a few thousand voters in this proudly unglamorous corner of England will choose the future

Analysis: Andy Burnham's route back to the Commons is clearer - but one big hurdle remains

candidate. The last time that happened, before the Gorton and Denton by-election earlier this year, Sir Keir Starmer used his authority and control over Labour's ruling National Executive Committee to block Burnham from

Andy Burnham wins key UK by-election, paving way to challenge Keir Starmer

by-election in northern England, paving the way for him to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the leadership of the Labour Party and the United Kingdom. Burnham handily defeated his closest challenger, Robert Kenyon

Anti-Burnham fake news on Makerfield Facebook accounts has surged, report finds – UK politics live

Makerfield, but for how politics functions today in a social media environment awash with lies. In its report, the SMF says: > double quotation markNearly 1 in 6 pieces of news shared in local Facebook groups

Britain faces weeks of leadership limbo in slow-motion coup against Starmer

Makerfield has been one of Labour’s safest seats since the constituency was created in 1983. In the [2014 general election](https://members.parliament.uk/constituency/4165/election/422), Simons won it with a reduced majority of 5,399. Labour

Pressure mounts on embattled UK PM Keir Starmer as rivals circle

by-election would have to be hosted to elect Burnham in Makerfield, northwest England. Labour lawmaker Josh Simons resigned from ⁠his seat earlier on Thursday so that Burnham can compete. British newspaper The Guardian reported

The key figures in Andy Burnham's inner circle

by-election. If Burnham succeeds in gaining the keys to Number 10, here are some of the MPs and advisers who could be given key roles. The former transport secretary was the first

Harbouring ambition: Voters' hopes ahead of Aberdeen South by-election

by-elections that day. There is another in nearby Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, as well as a high-profile one in Makerfield, Greater Manchester. That final contest could have big political ramifications, with Andy Burnham

Scottish Conservatives win first Westminster by-election in more than 50 years

Makerfield by-election, paving the way for him to challenge Sir Keir Starmer as Labour Party leader. The Scottish by-elections were triggered when sitting MPs - Flynn and his SNP colleague Stephen Gethins - resigned from

‘King of the North’: Who is Andy Burnham, a potential UK prime minister?

Makerfield. According to his supporters, he is the best candidate to replace Starmer by the time of the Labour Party’s next annual conference in September. Many in the party are hungry for a change

Arbroath and Broughty Ferry: A tale of two high streets

by-elections that day, along with [Aberdeen South](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3020v06q2no) and a high-profile one in [Makerfield, Greater Manchester](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g0yyg49lko). This is only the second time the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry constituency

UK and US voters are highly cynical. They express it differently.

by-election in Makerfield, England](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/06/12/uk-makerfield-election-burnham-kenyon-issues-00959685), is demanding attention. It’s not just that the special election could kick off a chain of events ending in Keir Starmer being ousted as prime minister

Does UK’s new far-right party, Restore, pose a threat to Farage’s Reform?

by-election](/news/2026/5/28/the-kingmakers-of-makerfield-english-town-braces-for-crucial-by-election) is expected to take place on June 18, following the departure of current Labour MP Josh Simons to make way for Manchester Mayor [Andy Burnham](/news/2026/5/19/king-of-the-north-who-is-andy-burnham-a-potential-uk-prime-minister) to contest the seat

Chris Mason: Inside the shadow contest to be our next prime minister

by-election to win while his potential rival, the now former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, does not. It means there is an asymmetry to the audiences they are currently talking to. For Burnham, there

Chris Mason: Emphatic win leaves Starmer with big decision on leadership

Makerfield parliamentary seat has elected Labour MPs for yonks, but just a matter of weeks ago, at the local elections, Reform UK were dominant in this collection of towns broadly to the south of Wigan

Josh Simons stood down for Burnham as Labour was 'imploding'

Makerfield was "where Andy Burnham has lived for 25 years" and that he was "coming home". "Labour needs to change and the whole government needs to change," he said. Simons' decision came as Labour