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Polls open in historic byelection in Makerfield that could determine Keir Starmer’s future – UK politics live

Greater Manchester mayor and Labour candidate Andy Burnham delivers a speech on apprenticeships, ahead of the June 18 Makerfield by-election

Labour has 'no coherent plan' for country, says Blair

elections. The party's candidate is Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who is seeking to return

Facing a seismic by-election, the people of Makerfield tell us what matters to them

election is not only picking a new MP on 18 June. Voters here are also potentially choosing the next prime minister. That is because Labour's candidate, Greater Manchester Mayor

‘No other plan comes close’: Labour MPs turn to Burnham as pressure mounts on Starmer

Greater Manchester mayor. It is understood this candidate is not a sitting MP but is believed to have the pedigree to win a high-stakes mayoral election

Burnham cleared to run for selection in pivotal by-election

election Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has been cleared to seek selection as Labour's candidate

After Burnham’s reign, battle begins for Greater Manchester’s mayoral crown

Greater Manchester. Reform is rumoured to be fielding either Dan Barker, who stood for the party in the 2024 mayoral election after previously being selected as the Conservative candidate

In Britain, Brexit is debated again as Starmer’s grip on power slips

Greater Manchester Mayor [Andy Burnham](/news/2026/5/19/king-of-the-north-who-is-andy-burnham-a-potential-uk-prime-minister), who is currently preparing for a crucial by-election that he hopes will allow him to become an official candidate

The small-town voters deciding the UK’s future are demanding change, our focus group found

Manchester.  #### ‘Andy cares’ Burnham’s record as Mayor of Greater

Final push for votes in high stakes Makerfield by-election

election, in a contest that could also determine who becomes the next prime minister. Labour candidate and Greater Manchester Mayor

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

Greater Manchester mayor to put himself forward as a parliamentary candidate. He won the seat by 5,399 votes at the last election

Changing visa rules for care workers is wrong, says Rayner

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham - who is Labour's candidate in the Makerfield by-election

Prime Minister Keir Starmer expected to announce exit plan: UK media

Greater Manchester mayor,](/news/2026/6/19/andy-burnham-wins-crucial-uk-by-election-in-blow-to-keir-starmer) decisively won a parliamentary election to return to Westminster, beating a candidate

Labour leadership jostling puts Brexit back under political spotlight

Greater Manchester mayor was out canvassing for votes in the Makerfield constituency. He hopes to be the Labour candidate in the coming by-election

Personal decision for Starmer on whether to fight leadership contest, minister says

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to be "back in Parliament at the heart of power". Burnham is seeking to stand as Labour's candidate in the Makerfield by-election

Streeting says he would join leadership race as Burnham vows to 'save' Labour

candidates on the field, and I will be standing." Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham told the BBC he was seeking to stand in the Makerfield by-election

Former Green Party by-election candidate apologises for sharing 'false flag' post

election in the Greater Manchester constituency on 18 June was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Josh Simons. Simons said he was stepping down to allow Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham the opportunity

Andy Burnham: 'King of the North' with eyes on the top job

mayor of Greater Manchester, where he has been elected three times with successive landslides, vowing to "make politics work properly for people" across the UK. Born in Liverpool in 1970, Burnham grew up in Culcheth

Burnham: 'People in Britain can't afford a good life'

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has said national politics has reached a "dangerous place" where "people in this country cannot afford a good life". The Labour candidate for the Makerfield by-election

Andy Burnham has plan to return to Westminster ‘within weeks’, allies say

candidate to replace him as Greater Manchester mayor. Allies said he planned to outline a “radical rewiring” of the state in the coming weeks – including sweeping changes to the electoral system and a 10-year

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

Greater Manchester mayor to put himself forward as a parliamentary candidate. The last time that happened, before the Gorton and Denton by-election