Overview
- Makerfield council set the by-election for 18 June and local Labour formally nominated Andy Burnham after MP Josh Simons stood down to allow his return to the Commons.
- If Burnham wins a seat he would be eligible to mount a formal challenge to Keir Starmer for the party leadership and the role of prime minister under Labour rules.
- Reform UK has named Robert Kenyon as its candidate and benefited from strong regional results, making the traditionally Labour seat a competitive fight this summer.
- Investors pushed UK government bond yields higher on fears of a leftward policy shift, and Burnham has said he will respect Labour’s fiscal rules while advocating more state control of services.
- Starmer has announced temporary fiscal measures and a technical sanction change to show control after poor local election results and growing calls for his resignation, with the June vote set to shape Labour’s direction and policy risks for households and markets.