Voters in Makerfield in north-west England are going to the polls on Thursday in a by-election whose outcome could determine whether Sir Keir Starmer remains as prime minister.
If Labour former health secretary Andy Burnham wins, he is expected to quickly challenge Sir Keir for the party leadership, having gathered support among backbenchers who have urged him on.
But Reform UK candidate, Robert Kenyon, also has strong support in the constituency. Reform is worried about losing voters to Rupert Lowe’s party, Restore Britain, which takes a harder line on migration.
Wes Streeting, also an ex-health secretary, says that if Mr Burnham returns to Westminster and stands against Sir Keir, he will join the contest.
The list of candidates is here.Polls open at 7am and will close at 10pm.
Burnham rules out accepting job from Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer has indicated he would give Andy Burnham a cabinet job if he wins the Makerfield by-election, saying he wants the leadership rival to “play a big part in the Labour government”.
Speaking on the fringes of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, the prime minister said he would talk to Mr Burnham “after the weekend” once the results from Makerfield are in, as well as saying there are no circumstances under which he would walk away from his job.
If the Greater Manchester mayor wins today’s vote, it is expected he will return to Westminster to challenge the prime minister for his job.
But sources close to the Greater Manchester mayor have already made it clear he will not accept a job from the prime minister, in a sign that he is ready to move against Sir Keir for the top job.
Nicole Wootton-Cane18 June 2026 07:16
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Voting begins in Makerfield
Polling stations have just opened in the crunch by-election in Makerfield, which is between Manchester and Liverpool in northwest England.
It is illegal to publish the results of any opinion poll on voting day until polling stations close.
Six candidates are standing for election:
Who are the Makerfield by-election candidates?
Polls suggest it will be a tight race between Labour candidate Andy Burnham and Reform UK’s Robert KenyonJane Dalton18 June 2026 07:01