New poll reveals impact of Andy Burnham standing in Makerfield by-election as Reform prepares to 'throw everything at it'

A new poll has revealed the impact of Andy Burnham standing in the Makerfield by-election as Reform UK vowed to "throw everything" at the crunch contest.

The battle to snap up the seat is already underway, with Reform UK opening up candidate applications for the Manchester by-election last night.

Nigel Farage's allies are hopeful for success in the upcoming contest following the party's success at last week's local elections.

In the Makerfield constituency, polling has tilted Mr Farage for success after Britons voted 50 per cent Reform and 23 per cent Labour.

In terms of a General Election, the pollsters at Britain Predicts showed Reform on 41 per cent and Labour’s 28 per cent.

However, the poll, commissioned by the New Statesman, showed that Mr Burnham's candidacy could flip the fate of his party and send Labour's success soaring.

When the numbers are adjusted to accommodate the "Andy Burnham effect", Labour's share leaps to 39 per cent, while Reform's creeps back to 36 per cent.

The Greater Manchester Mayor is also predicted to dial back the Greens' success in the constituency, diminishing Zack Polanski's share by three per cent.

FOLLOW ALONG WITH GB NEWS FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY...

Senior Labour minister tells GB News he supports Andy Burnham's bid to stand in Makerfield

A senior Labour minister has told GB News he supports Andy Burnham's bid to stand in Makerfield.

When asked if he should be allowed to stand, Steve Reed said: "Yes, I think he should."

Last night, Mr Reed was caught off-guard at a Spectator event hosted by editor and former Tory minister Michael Gove after the news broke that Mr Burnham was clearing his path to Westminster.

The editor was first to inform him of Labour MP Josh Simons stepping aside to allow Mr Burnham to run, leaving the Housing Secretary appearing shell-shocked.

Keir Starmer's deputy set to back Andy Burnham's Westminster comeback

Sir Keir Starmer's deputy is set to back Andy Burnham's attempt to return to Westminster by standing in the Makerfield by-election.

Lucy Powell, who is known to be a close ally to the Greater Manchester Mayor, is expected to tell the Fire Brigades' Union this morning that Mr Burnham, as well as Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting, should all be "key players in our team".

"Andy wants to come back to Parliament - I’ve always supported his desire to do so, and I support that again," she is expected to say.

"As Deputy Leader, I am confident he would have the support of the vast majority of the Party and movement in doing so."

The last time the NEC convened to vote on whether Mr Burnham should stand, Ms Powell was the only member support his return to SW1.

'Do we really want that to be our future?' Cabinet minister fears for Labour's fate if Keir Starmer thrown out of No10

A Cabinet minister has admitted he fears for Labour's future if Sir Keir Starmer's rivals are successful in ousting him from No10.

Following on from a disastrous set of election results last week, Communities Secretary Steve Reed said that a constant change of leadership will cause Labour to mimic the Conservatives' torrid night at the polls back in 2024.

When grilled on whether Labour could be in for a national wipeout as the Tories experienced just two years ago, Mr Reed told Sky News: "You don’t have to imagine what would happen, because we just have to look back at what the Conservatives did.

"Over the eight years between 2016 and 2024 I think we had nine Education Secretaries, seven Chancellors of the Exchequer, and five Prime Ministers, and it led to their worst election result in 200 years.

"Last week we did badly, the Conservatives went further backward from that dreadful General Election result. Do we really want that to be our future? We’re in power. We were sent here by the British public to deliver change."

INSIGHT: GB News' Tom Harwood brings the latest inside scoop from Westminster

I’m hearing the NEC isn’t as sewn up for Andy Burnham as many are reporting. The vote is on a "knife edge" I'm told by sources close to the decision-making body.

"Everyone is wavering."

No10 might be briefing it is comfortable with shortlisting Mr Burnham, but that’s not to say the nine member officer committee agrees.

"I don’t think any of us are taking notice of what [No10] are saying", I'm told.

NEC officers now expected to decide on Sunday or Monday.

Beaming Starmer loyalist skips up to No10 on first day in new top job

James Murray, one of Sir Keir Starmer's most loyal allies, was spotted skipping up to No10 on his first day of his new top job.

The new Health Secretary was beaming as he greeted journalists along Downing Street.

BEV TURNER: Bridget Phillipson has the guts to face GB News... Now she must stand up to Keir Starmer

There comes a point in any career when you have to decide whether you are there to please the system or to shape it.

Within too many people who come into public life from state-school backgrounds, there is an ingrained instinct to be accommodating, helpful and agreeable.

For women, this is even worse – we have been raised to be careful, not to disrupt, and never to challenge. This means authority becomes internalised, respect becomes deference, and deference holds us back.

This is why I recognise and despair at Bridget Phillipson’s blind loyalty to Keir Starmer whilst all the blokes position themselves for attack.

READ BEV'S ANALYSIS HERE.

RECAP: Whose path has been cleared to launch a leadership coup against the PM?

Fresh off a whirlwind day in Westminster, Sir Keir Starmer has survived another dramatic day in Downing Street.

However, the Prime Minister is far from escaping the looming threat of a leadership contest, with rivals digging their heels in on Thursday.

The day began with Angela Rayner revealing that HMRC had absolved her from issues surrounding her tax affairs after she coughed up £40,000 in tax.

Some six hours later, Wes Streeting quit as Health Secretary and delivered a scathing resignation letter to his boss in the process.

And, just a few hours later, a path for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to return to Parliament has been cleared with Labour MP Josh Simons giving up his Makerfield seat for the 'King of the North'.

Zack Polanski admits NOT voting in local elections... despite telling candidate: 'You have my vote'

Zack Polanski did not vote in the local elections, the Green Party has admitted - despite the leader telling his own candidate she had his vote.

The Greens said Mr Polanski "fell short of time" to update his address on the electoral register.

It added that the party chief had faced "heightened intrusion and safety risk" and had been the "target of antisemitic and homophobic abuse" which resulted in him not voting in person.

A spokesman for the party said two arrests had been made in relation to "abuse directed towards him".

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Pound plummets to one-month low amid panic after Andy Burnham confirms he'll stand for Parliament

The pound fell to a one-month low last night after Andy Burnham confirmed he would stand for Parliament in his bid to oust Sir Keir Starmer.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester issued a statement shortly after 5.30pm yesterday vowing to stand in the looming Makerfield by-election.

That came around 15 minutes after Josh Simons said he would clear the way for Mr Burnham to have a shot at power.

Within minutes, the pound had sunk to $1.34, its lowest level since April 13.

READ THE FULL WRITE-UP HERE.