Burnham's day of destiny? Polls open in Makerfield by-election as Labour plotting rages... with Starmer braced for challenge within days if mayor returns to Commons

By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 08:36, 18 June 2026 | Updated: 08:42, 18 June 2026 The moment of truth is looming in the Makerfield by-election today - with voters delivering their verdict on Andy Burnham's bid to become PM. Polling stations have opened as the Greater Manchester Mayor attempts to return to the Commons so he can challenge Keir Starmer. The outcome, due in the early hours tomorrow, could decide who will be the next inhabitant of 10 Downing Street. There are fears that whatever happens Labour is set to swing to the Left, with demands for more tax hikes and spending. Although Sir Keir has vowed to fight on, allies of Mr Burnham are plotting ways to force his departure. Many would prefer a 'coronation', rather than a formal leadership contest that could paralyse the Government for months. Cabinet ministers including Ed Miliband are said to be ready to quit if the PM will not go voluntarily, although there are divisions over how quickly the coup would be initiated.  Polling stations have opened as Andy Burnham (pictured last night) attempts to return to the Commons so he can challenge Keir Starmer In a final plea, Nigel Farage warned the contest was 'tight' and voting for anyone apart from Reform's Rob Kenyon (right) was effectively supporting Labour Intriguingly Mr Burnham met Wes Streeting, another potential leadership contender, in Makerfield on Monday. A source played down speculation they were thrashing out a joint approach, telling the Guardian 'no deals were done'. Polls have suggested Mr Burnham is on track for victory, although opinion is notoriously hard to gauge at constituency level. He has been battling it out with Reform in Makerfield, but Nigel Farage's candidate has been hampered by competition from Restore Britain on the Right.  In a final plea, Mr Farage warned the contest was 'tight' and voting for anyone apart from Reform was effectively supporting Labour.  Yesterday Sir Keir attempted to buy off Mr Burnham saying he was ready to offer him a 'big' job in Government. But that has been dismissed by the mayor, who used a rally last night to say he would 'change politics' and take the 'fight as high as I can possibly take it'. Allies insisted 'the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government's failings'. Mr Burnham wheeled out another 'luvvie' yesterday, with actor Hugh Grant coming to help the campaign on the ground.     In a video posted to X just after polls opened this morning - soundtracked by Manchester band New Order - Mr Burnham said: 'This is a change by-election. Although Sir Keir has vowed to fight on, allies of Mr Burnham are plotting ways to force his departure '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 is one of three parliamentary by-elections taking place on Thursday. The other two are in the Scottish seats of Aberdeen South, and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, where SNP MPs Stephen Gethins and Stephen Flynn have stood down after winning elections to the Scottish Parliament in May. The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.