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Makerfield byelection is about more than Andy Burnham

recent poll put him just a couple of points ahead of Reform. MPs from across the north-west and from Burnham’s soft-left wing descended on the seat this weekend – before the mayor

Tactical voting by Greens and Lib Dems could be key to Labour victory in Makerfield

Makerfield, with Green and Liberal Democrat supporters willing to back Andy Burnham to stop Reform from winning. Conversely, Reform’s main competitor for votes on the right is Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain party. Polling

Musk retweet signals rightwing split that could help Burnham in Makerfield byelection

Makerfield seat to the Manchester mayor. On 18 June, Burnham will fight a byelection in Greater Manchester, and polls have him only slightly ahead of Reform’s candidate, Robert Kenyon, a plumber

Greens suggest they will properly contest byelection in blow for Burnham

poll ratings and take him to a win. There had been speculation the Greens might either not field a candidate in Makerfield or barely contest it, to avoid splitting the leftwing vote and letting Reform

Farage vows to ban foreign nationals from social housing as byelection looms

Polling suggests Andy Burnham, the Labour candidate, is benefiting from a split rightwing vote in Makerfield. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images With the rightwing vote continuing to split four days before the byelection, the [Mail

Most Makerfield voters say offensive posts would put them off candidate, poll finds

byelection on 18 June, has been criticised for past online posts, with the broadcaster Caroline Vorderman [calling for him to apologise](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/may/26/carol-vorderman-demands-apology-reform-candidate-robert-kenyon) over “disgusting comments” he made about her. Kenyon’s other previous

Burnham’s momentum builds in Makerfield as byelection nears

byelections, constituency Labour parties are sending busloads of activists and staffers are staying in cabins in local people’s gardens. There is an open admission of fear about how the party will even manage

Public control of water and energy at heart of Burnham agenda, sources say

byelection, senior Burnham allies are now beginning to turn their attention to how to turn his political vision into concrete policies. While the Manchester mayor spends his time knocking on doors

Tuesday briefing: How the UK’s military spending row exposes Starmer’s defence dilemma

Makerfield byelection. I spoke to Dan about how an argument about money exposes domestic and international uncertainties around Starmer’s leadership, Britain’s place in the world and the changing face of warfare. ## Five

Digested week: Starmer is trying to carve out his legacy – but it’s not his to write | John Crace

Polls now suggest that most people reckon Brexit has been a mistake. All that’s missing is some accountability. ## Tuesday It’s one of life’s ironies that prime ministers are usually remembered

Tuesday briefing: With unease at home spreading, what next for Russia’s isolated leader?

polling, another telltale sign of discontent is found online. “Bloggers who have been traditionally quite pro-Putin are starting to speak out about a number of problems in the country,” Pjotr tells me. A longstanding