Overview
- Andy Burnham is standing in the Makerfield by-election on Thursday and has said he would seek the Labour leadership if he wins and returns to Westminster.
- Recent constituency polls show a narrow Labour lead but a volatile contest with Restore Britain polling around 7–8 percent and likely to split the right‑of‑centre vote.
- Reports in parts of the press have alleged links between some Restore campaigners and far‑right figures but those claims are partially unverified and are contested.
- The contest is taking place against a backdrop of Westminster turmoil, including Defence Secretary John Healey’s resignation, which sources say has weakened Sir Keir Starmer and raised the stakes of the result.
- A Burnham victory would be necessary but not sufficient to remove Starmer because Labour rules require 81 Labour MPs to nominate a challenger, so turnout, tactical voting and internal party calculations will determine what happens next.