The Perilous Crossroads of Makerfield: A Byelection That Could Decide More Than Just a Seat The upcoming byelection in Makerfield, a north west constituency in Greater Manchester, has been billed as a referendum on Labour's leadership and its future prospects.
Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, is widely expected to be confirmed as Labour's candidate for the seat, but his allies warn of an uphill battle against Reform UK, Nigel Farage's party, which won over 50% of the vote in local elections.
Labour's internal divisions over European membership are likely to be exploited by Reform UK. Some Labour members push for a softer line on immigration, while others advocate for a harder stance.