Makerfield by-election polls close with result set to have huge bearing on Starmer’s future

• Polls have closed in the Makerfield by-election, a contest widely regarded as significant for the future of UK politics.
• Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, is standing for Labour in Makerfield, aiming for a return to Westminster and potentially challenging Keir Starmer.
• The race is a tight head-to-head between Burnham and Reform candidate Robert Kenyon, who has faced scrutiny over controversial past social media posts.
• Makerfield, traditionally a safe Labour seat, has shown a recent shift towards Reform, with the party taking over 50% of the vote in local elections in the constituency's wards.
• Despite Keir Starmer's offer of a "big" government role, Burnham's allies suggest he is not interested, hinting at a potential leadership challenge to the Labour leader.

IN FULL

Polls close in Makerfield by-election that could decide Starmer’s future