Makerfield by-election: Burnham's win could reshape UK politics
Thursday's by-election in Makerfield is seen as the most consequential in memory. Andy Burnham's potential victory could trigger a Labour leadership challenge, while defeat would boost Reform UK's momentum.
On Thursday, Makerfield will host what is widely considered the most consequential by-election in recent memory.
If Andy Burnham wins, he will challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership, aiming to rescue both the party and the government from their current malaise. If he loses, Labour would appear to have no answer to Reform UK's surge over the past two years. Nigel Farage's party would have defeated Labour's most popular politician, bringing Farage closer to No 10 than ever before.
Helen Pidd heads to Makerfield to hear from voters, while the Guardian's north of England editor, Josh Halliday, discusses how British politics could look very different by Friday morning.
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