The now-deleted social media posts allegedly supported offensive remarks about the TV presenter

Carol Vorderman demands apology for Makerfield candidate's social media posts

Chris Kennedy dropped out of the Makerfield by-election race just nine hours after he was announced, citing “personal and family reasons”.

Ex-Green candidate for Makerfield apologises for sharing ‘false flag’ post

The Reform UK leader visited Makerfield ahead of June's by-election.

Nigel Farage: Makerfield by-election is 'biggest in half a century'

The Makerfield by-election will be held on Thursday 18 June 2026, Wigan Council has confirmed. 

Date of Makerfield by-election confirmed

The survey found that if a general election was held tomorrow Labour would get an eight point boost with Mr Burnham as leader.

Labour could beat Reform in general election if led by Andy Burnham, polls say

Title: Britain Election
Image ID: 24165360055657
Article:  Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, talks to people as they arrive to attend the launch of The Labour party's 2024 general election manifesto in Manchester, England, Thursday, June 13, 2024. The election will take place on July 4. (AP Photo/Jon Super)


The by-election in Makerfield will most likely take place on 18 June, after the writ for the poll was moved in Parliament.

Reform UK and Andy Burnham to go head-to-head in by-election

 Burnham said he wants to take the approach he has championed in Greater Manchester onto the national stage.

Burnham says ‘Manchester-ism’ can transform the whole of UK

The MP standing down in the Makerfield constituency to make way for Andy Burnham says electing him is 'the best way to improve constituents lives'.

Josh Simons: Electing Andy Burnham is 'best way to improve constituents lives'

Locals of Makerfield have voiced mixed opinions on Andy Burnham’s bid to become their next MP as Josh Simons steps aside to trigger a by-election.

People's politician or political schemer? Locals divided over Burnham

Andy Burnham says he will ask Labour's NEC for permission to stand in the Makerfield by-election, after the resignation of MP Josh Simons.

MP stands down so Andy Burnham 'can fight to re-enter Parliament'

Among the plans - plotting a Southport-style attacks to be a specific criminal offence, details for Northern Powerhouse Rail and the Hillsborough Law.

MPs react to the King's Speech as PM fights to keep his job

A Lancashire council leader is stepping down from role, saying she has been spat at and called a traitor 

'I've been spat at and abused', says council leader stepping down

Angela Rayner said that it had been a mistake to block Andy Burnham’s possible return to Westminster, saying Labour needs its “best players into Parliament”.

Rayner calls for Burnham's return and warns Starmer needs to 'set out change'

Andy Burnham joked that he'd been "a bit low profile" before scoring two goals at charity football match in Manchester on Friday night.

'I've been a bit low profile': Andy Burnham scores goals at charity match

A Labour campaigner at the Tameside election count

The results have been worse than expected for Labour, suffering significant losses in some of the party's key strongholds.

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