Voters in Makerfield are casting their ballots in a closely watched by-election that could have implications far beyond Greater Manchester.
The contest was triggered after Labour MP Josh Simons resigned to allow Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to stand.
Polling stations opened across the constituency on Thursday, with counting due to take place overnight and a result expected in the early hours of Friday. The by-election has attracted national attention because it is widely seen as a test of Labour's popularity and of Burnham's political ambitions.
Burnham, who has served as Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017 and was previously a Labour MP and Cabinet minister, is seeking a return to Westminster after nearly a decade away from Parliament. Throughout the campaign, he has argued that British politics requires significant change and has promoted what supporters describe as a more locally focused approach to government.
The seat became vacant in May when Simons stepped down, saying Labour needed fresh energy and describing Burnham as the right person to represent the constituency. Under parliamentary rules, Burnham can stand for election while serving as mayor, but he would automatically leave the mayoralty if elected to Parliament.
Reform UK has emerged as Labour's main challenger in the race. Its candidate, Robert Kenyon, is hoping to build on the party's recent local election successes across parts of northern England, where dissatisfaction with mainstream politics has helped boost support for anti-establishment parties. Polling suggests the contest has narrowed into a direct battle between Labour and Reform.
The campaign has also highlighted broader political tensions, including concerns over immigration, living standards and the future direction of Labour under Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Several polls indicate Burnham remains one of the most popular figures within the Labour movement, leading to speculation that a return to Parliament could strengthen his position in any future leadership contest.
Another factor in the race is the presence of Restore Britain, a breakaway right-wing party led by supporters of former Reform MP Rupert Lowe. Political analysts suggest the party could split the right-wing vote, potentially benefiting Labour in a closely fought contest.
While the by-election will decide only one parliamentary seat, its significance extends well beyond Makerfield. A Labour victory would strengthen Burnham's standing within the party, while a Reform breakthrough would reinforce the argument that the party's rise represents a lasting challenge to Britain's political establishment.
U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and officials from m...
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said regional issues should be res...
The U.S. and five Central Asian nations have held high-level talks in Samarkand, focusing on trade, investment and regional security as Washington ...
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for continuing to target Russia's energy infrastructure, while Russian strikes on Kyiv overnight killed at least one person and damaged a metro station.
What started out as planned protests against the cost of living, declining public services and education funding in France, quickly devolved into violent riots across the country on Saturday.
The day after waiving sanctions and tariffs related to Russian exports, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he has yet to announce a final decision on the matter as Secretary of State Marco Rubio said officials want more time to evaluate the situation.
A Saudi AH-6i helicopter crashed in the Najran region of Saudi Arabia due to a technical malfunction, killing its two crew members, the Saudi-led coalition's spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki said in a statement on Sunday.
French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned the violence, looting and vandalism that erupted during cost-of-living protests across France. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu held crisis talks on Monday, calling for partial curfews and raising the possibility of a state of emergency.
U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and officials from major European nations and NATO in Norway this week for talks about ending the war in Ukraine. He is also set to travel to Russia to speak to Vladimir Putin.
The U.S. and five Central Asian nations have held high-level talks in Samarkand, focusing on trade, investment and regional security as Washington seeks to strengthen its presence in the strategically important region.
French authorities imposed local curfews in parts of Paris, Lille and Nice on Monday after a weekend of riots and looting linked to nationwide anti-government protests, as the government faced mounting criticism over security failures.
Torrential rain and flooding in eastern Spain have killed at least four people, forced thousands to evacuate and left tens of thousands of residents under shelter-in-place orders, as emergency crews rescued people stranded on rooftops.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to its lowest level across both of his presidential terms, while Democrats have widened their lead over Republicans ahead of the 3 November congressional elections, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment