MAKERFIELD voters went to the polls today in a by-election which could be one of the most consequential in recent British political history.

Andy Burnham stood for Labour in the hope of returning to Parliament and challenging Sir Keir Starmer for the leadership, urging voters to “vote to change politics” and vowing to take the “fight as high as I can possibly take it.”

Sir Keir had said he was willing to offer the Greater Manchester Mayor a “big” job in his government if he won, though allies of Mr 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.”

It was not immediately clear what the results would mean for the offer.

Sir Keir has repeatedly insisted he has no intention of standing down, though reports have suggested his Cabinet is in crisis, with several members reportedly talked down from resigning by Mr Burnham’s camp.

Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon was second favourite to win, despite losing some support to the still more extremist Restore Britain.

Mr Kenyon has faced backlash over offensive comments online, including transphobic slurs, Covid misinformation and sharing demeaning sexually explicit references to women.

Politicians campaigned at polling stations throughout the day, with Reform leader Nigel Farage appearing alongside Mr Kenyon as he cast his vote, while former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner supported Mr Burnham at his campaign hub nearby.

Former Commons speaker John Bercow also campaigned for Mr Burnham in the morning.

In a video posted on X as polls opened, Mr Burnham said: “This is a change by-election. We left Westminster 10 years ago to build something different, something better.

“We worked on a place-first basis, rather than party first, problem solving rather than point scoring.

“We’ve taken that fight for people here and I’ll carry that fight forward if I am lucky enough to be elected as the MP for Makerfield.

“I’ll take that fight as high as I can possibly take it.”

Makerfield was one of three parliamentary by-elections taking place today, alongside the Scottish seats of Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, following the resignations of SNP MPs Stephen Gethins and Stephen Flynn.

The results were expected after the Morning Star went to print.