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election: It’s the final campaign day — live updates – POLITICO
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Key Points:
- Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is contesting a by-election to become an MP, which would allow him to challenge Keir Starmer for the leadership of the Labour Party.
- Burnham is popular among the British public and was the preferred next leader of Labour members in a recent Survation poll, earning him the nickname “king of the north.”
- His main opponent is Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon, but Burnham’s chances are boosted by the presence of Restore Britain, a smaller right-wing party splitting the vote.
- A victory for Burnham would strengthen his political credibility and position him as a challenger to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage following Labour’s recent local election losses.
- Starmer has pledged to resist any leadership challenge from Burnham and has offered him a significant government role if he wins the by-election, while former Health Secretary Wes Streeting also plans to stand in a potential contest.
