Voters in Makerfield began casting their ballots on Thursday in what could be one of the most consequential byelections in British political history, as Andy Burnham seeks a pathway to the prime ministership and Keir Starmer fights to hold on to his leadership. The constituency just outside Wigan has been Labour since its creation in 1983, but the governing party faces a stiff challenge from Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon, whose campaign has been bogged down by revelations of historic sexist social media posts and unimpressive media performances. Pollsters have the contest a close run thing.
Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester and Labour candidate, urged people to “vote to change politics” and said he would take the “fight as high as I can possibly take it”. Starmer, speaking at the G7 in Évian, offered Burnham a “big role in government” if he wins, but allies of Burnham said he was not interested, insisting “the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the government’s failings”. According to the Times, Burnham and his allies hope for a “coronation” in which Starmer stands aside rather than a damaging leadership contest.
“Voters in Makerfield go to the polls as Andy Burnham seeks to return to parliament and challenge Keir Starmer's leadership.”
Starmer has repeatedly made clear he has no intention of standing down. “I’m a fighter, not a quitter,” he said in a Sky News interview, before laughing awkwardly, as if remembering Liz Truss had said the same. The prime minister’s denial is key to his survival skills, but this time it may not save him. Labour MPs and members have decided they need a better communicator, and the only game in town is Andy, according to the Guardian’s John Crace.
Meanwhile, the prime minister is facing the fallout from a trial that exposed Russian-linked arson attacks on property connected to him. Roman Lavrynovych, 22, from Ukraine, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, from Romania, were found guilty on Monday of conspiring to carry out arson attacks on property linked to Starmer, appearing to operate under the instruction of an online handler with links to Russia. Starmer said the case shows the UK is under attack from bad actors who want to “exploit division” and “destabilise our democracy”.
Polls close at 10pm. What is certain is that the next 24 hours will prove to be a pivotal moment for this Labour government and, in particular, the prime minister. Burnham may have his eyes on a bigger role – the one Starmer currently occupies.