Today in Focus
Today in Focus
The Guardian
Burnham byelection: could Makerfield decide the next PM? – The Latest
12 minutes Posted May 15, 2026 at 4:19 pm.
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Show notes
Andy Burnham may have a route back to Westminster – and a path to the Labour leadership. But first the Greater Manchester mayor must win a byelection in Makerfield, where Nigel Farage has vowed Reform UK will ‘throw absolutely everything’ at the contest. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s north of England correspondent Hannah al-Othman, who has been talking to voters in the constituency. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>