Why The Makerfield By-Election Is The Most Important In Living Memory

The future of the prime minister is on the ballot paper as voters go to the polls.

It isn’t just the names of the 14 candidates which are on the ballot paper as voters in Makerfield go to the polls today.

The fate of the prime minister is also in the hands of the seat’s 77,000 constituents as they decide who should represent them at Westminster.

That is why the by-election is the most important in British politics in living memory.

It was triggered by sitting MP Josh Simon’s extraordinary decision to voluntarily stand down to give Andy Burnham the chance to become an MP again after a nine year absence.

The Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, who has twice tried and failed to become the party’s leader, has made no secret of his ambition to become prime minister should he see off the challenge of Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon.

Two weeks ago, during a special Makerfield edition of the BBC’s Question Time, he confirmed the worst kept secret in politics by admitting he will join any leadership contest to replace Keir Starmer in No.10.

Wes Streeting – who quit as health........

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