Polls close in historic Makerfield byelection — Burnham victory could reshape UK politics

Polls closed on Thursday evening in the Makerfield byelection, widely described as one of the most consequential in British history. Although official results are not expected until dawn, political observers widely predict a victory for Labour candidate Andy Burnham, who is seen as a potential future prime minister.

Campaign details

Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell issued a statement praising the party's "positive campaign" and said they had spoken to a record number of residents. She acknowledged the tough fight against Reform, which performed strongly in the area weeks ago. The campaign involved three control centres, 3,000 activists, and a peak of 120 contacts per minute.

Economic advisers

Ahead of a possible return to Parliament on Friday, Burnham has enlisted three heavyweight economists: former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane, former Office for Budget Responsibility chair Richard Hughes, and crossbench peer Jim O'Neill, a former Treasury minister. This move is seen as an effort to reassure markets should Burnham become prime minister.

Potential implications

Speculation is rife that a Burnham win could trigger the end of Keir Starmer's premiership. Political insiders suggest the size of Burnham's victory will determine the speed of events: a comfortable win could lead to a swift leadership change, while a narrow margin might result in prolonged internal party struggle. A Reform UK victory, though less likely, would also cause major turmoil for Labour.

Alongside Makerfield, byelections are also being held in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry. Results are expected between 1:30 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. local time.