The residents of Makerfield are about to witness a by-election battle that could decide the next prime minister. This is because the area's current MP, Josh Simons, has announced he's standing down to make way for Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester Mayor.

Andy Burnham has been a long-time Labour MP and minister. Before becoming the Greater Manchester mayor in 2017, he was elected four times as MP for the Leigh constituency. His decision to run in the Makerfield by-election is seen as a crucial test for his Labour leadership ambitions.

But Burnham will face a stiff challenge from Reform UK, with Nigel Farage promising that his party will 'throw everything' at the contest. The by-election is an opportunity for Burnham to demonstrate his ability to win constituencies that Labour is expected to lose.

The Makerfield constituency has around 76,000 voters and has been a safe Labour seat since it was created in 1983. However, the area has recently seen Reform UK sweep the board in local council elections. This has led to pressure on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to resign, with many of his own MPs calling for him to stand down and start a contest for a new Labour leader.

'He knows what the people want and he stands for that and I think that's great,' said Penelope Nelson, a nursery worker and self-described fan of Burnham.

The stakes are high for Burnham, who will have to be chosen as Labour's candidate by officers on the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) before he can run. He will also need to be approved by the local Labour Party in Makerfield.

If Burnham succeeds in the by-election, a Labour leadership contest is likely to follow, potentially leading to a new occupant of Number 10 by the autumn. The earliest the by-election could be held is on Thursday, 18 June, during the same week that Sir Keir is due to be at a G7 summit in France.

Polling expert Sir John Curtice has said that Labour would have 'less than 5% chance' in the Makerfield by-election if it were anyone other than Andy Burnham as a candidate. He added that if Burnham manages to win this, he will certainly be demonstrating his ability to win constituencies that most Labour politicians wouldn't expect to win at the moment.

The Green Party has started the selection process for its candidate, while former Green leader Caroline Lucas has said she hopes the party won't contest the seat in order to give Burnham the best chances of seeing off the challenge from Reform.

Reform UK's deputy leader, Richard Tice, has said the party is aiming to 'make Burnham history' and will be 'throwing everything possible' at ensuring a 'seismic' win in this by-election.

  • The Makerfield constituency has around 76,000 voters.
  • The area has been a safe Labour seat since it was created in 1983.
  • Reform UK gained 24 seats on Wigan Council, including in two wards in Ashton-in-Makefield.
  • The constituency boundaries were changed slightly in the 2024 general election.
  • The seat is 29th on Reform's target list and the party needs a swing of just over 6.7% to win it.

As the by-election approaches, the people of Makerfield will be watching closely to see how the battle between Burnham and Reform UK unfolds. The outcome of this by-election could have significant implications for the future of the Labour Party and the country as a whole.

The by-election is also an opportunity for Burnham to reconnect with the people of Makerfield and demonstrate his commitment to their concerns. He has a long track record as a Labour MP and minister, and his involvement in local projects such as the development of Leigh Sport Village has been well-received by some residents.

However, others have expressed skepticism about Burnham's motives, with some believing he's standing for election to 'feather his own cap' and gain a seat in Westminster. The outcome of the by-election will depend on how the people of Makerfield respond to Burnham's campaign and the challenge from Reform UK.

In the end, the Makerfield by-election will be a crucial test for Burnham's leadership ambitions and his ability to connect with the people of Makerfield. The stakes are high, and the outcome will have significant implications for the future of the Labour Party and the country as a whole.

And as the campaign gets underway, the people of Makerfield will be watching closely to see how the battle between Burnham and Reform UK unfolds. The outcome of this by-election could be a significant turning point in British politics, and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

The question on everyone's mind is: can Burnham succeed in the by-election and lead Labour to victory? The outcome of the Makerfield by-election will be a significant indicator of their chances in the next general election.

But for now, the focus is on the by-election and the battle between Burnham and Reform UK. The people of Makerfield will be watching closely, and the outcome will have significant implications for the future of British politics.

The by-election isn't just about Burnham or the Labour Party - it's about the people of Makerfield and their concerns. The outcome will depend on how they respond to the campaigns and the issues that matter to them.

The by-election is also an opportunity for the people of Makerfield to have their say on the current state of British politics. With the Labour Party facing pressure and the Reform UK challenging their dominance, the outcome of the by-election will be a significant indicator of the mood of the nation.

The Makerfield by-election is a crucial test for Burnham's leadership ambitions and the Labour Party's chances in the next general election. The outcome will have significant implications for the future of British politics, and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

The Reform UK party has been gaining momentum in recent times, and their challenge in the Makerfield by-election is a significant one. The party's deputy leader, Richard Tice, has said that they will be 'throwing everything possible' at ensuring a 'seismic' win in this by-election.

The Green Party, on the other hand, has started the selection process for its candidate. The party's former leader, Caroline Lucas, has said that she hopes the party won't contest the seat in order to give Burnham the best chances of seeing off the challenge from Reform.

The by-election is expected to be a closely contested one, with the outcome having significant implications for the future of British politics. The people of Makerfield will be watching closely, and their decision will be a crucial one in determining the direction of the country.

As the campaign gets underway, the people of Makerfield will be presented with a range of choices. They'll have to decide who they want to represent them in parliament and who they think is best equipped to tackle the challenges facing the country.

The by-election is also an opportunity for the people of Makerfield to hold their elected representatives to account. They'll be able to ask questions, raise concerns, and expect answers from the candidates.

In the end, the outcome of the by-election will depend on the people of Makerfield and their decision. It'll be a significant one, and it'll have far-reaching implications for the future of British politics.

But for now, the focus is on the campaign and the battle between Burnham and Reform UK. The people of Makerfield will be watching closely, and the outcome will be a significant indicator of the mood of the nation.

The people of Makerfield will have to make a decision that'll impact not just their local community but the entire country. The by-election is a significant one, and the outcome will be closely watched by people all over the UK.

And as the campaign gets underway, the people of Makerfield will be presented with a range of choices. They'll have to decide who they want to represent them in parliament and who they think is best equipped to tackle the challenges facing the country.

The by-election is also an opportunity for the people of Makerfield to have their say on the current state of British politics. With the Labour Party facing pressure and the Reform UK challenging their dominance, the outcome of the by-election will be a significant indicator of the mood of the nation.

The people of Makerfield won't be able to predict the outcome of the by-election, but they'll be watching closely as the campaign unfolds. They'll be looking for a candidate who can represent their interests and tackle the challenges facing the country. The outcome of the by-election will depend on how they respond to the campaigns and the issues that matter to them.