Voters are going to the polls in Makerfield, in a contest that could shape the future of Britain.
Labour leadership hopeful Andy Burnham is hoping to defeat Reform’s Robert Kenyon, and then is widely expected to challenge the PM.
Speaking on Wednesday, Keir Starmer said he was willing to offer the Mayor of Greater Manchester a “big” job in his Government, should Mr Burnham win, but allies of Mr Burnham insist he is not interested in the offer.
Mr Burnham has declared the race a chance to “write a new script for Britain”, and put power in the hands of voters who he says have been ignored by Westminster for too long.
Follow live updates below….
New UpdatesToday18:15 BST
The Andy Burnham campaign has enjoyed visits from several celebrities during the contest, including Alan Partridge star Alan Coogan, and Paddington 2 actor Hugh Grant.
However, his team were forced to distance themselves from a supporter on Thursday after former Speaker John Bercow was spotted knocking on doors for Mr Burnham.
Alexander BrownToday18:04 BST
Andy Burnham is not planning to challenge the Prime Minister in the first 72 hours if he wins the Makerfield by-election, the Mirror understands.
The Labour leadership hopeful has said he would run in any contest to replace Keir Starmer. However, it is understood that he is not planning to announce a challenge in the first few days if he wins the Makerfield by-election.
Instead, the Greater Manchester Mayor hopes to persuade Mr Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure. The Burnham campaign has sought to maintain good relations with Downing Street, despite plans to oust the PM.
Alexander BrownToday17:56 BST
In a video posted to X just after polls opened, soundtracked by Manchester band New Order, Andy Burnham said: “This is a change by-election.
“We left Westminster 10 years ago to build something different, something better.
“We worked on a place-first basis, rather than party first, problem solving rather than point scoring.
“We’ve taken that fight for people here, and I’ll carry that fight forward if I am lucky enough to be elected as the MP for Makerfield. I’ll take that fight as high as I can possibly take it.”
Alexander BrownToday17:56 BST
Andy Burnham has declared the Makerfield by-election is a chance to “write a new script for Britain”.
The Labour leadership hopeful told activists power was finally where it “should be”, in the hands of voters who had been ignored by Westminster for too long.
Speaking just before voters went to the polls in the seismic contest, Mr Burnham pledged to bring in a new rule – where if something doesn’t work for the Greater Manchester seat, it doesn’t work for the country.
Alexander BrownToday17:56 BST
The people of Makerfield have just hours left to vote in Thursday’s seismic by-election.
If Andy Burnham wins, it will pile pressure on the PM, with the Greater Manchester Mayor expected to challenge him for the leadership.
If Reform win, it will pile misery on a Labour party already bruised from the local election results.
We will have all the latest here, as it happens.