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

The moment of truth approaches today in the Makerfield by-election; voters make up their minds about Andy Burnham’s bid to become Prime Minister.

Polling stations were opened as the Mayor of Greater Manchester attempted to return to the House of Commons to challenge Keir Starmer.

The result, to be announced early tomorrow, will determine who will be the next resident of 10 Downing Street. Whatever happens, there are fears Labor will move left as it demands more tax rises and spending.

Although Sir Keir has vowed to keep fighting, Mr Burnham’s allies are seeking to force him to leave. Many prefer a ‘coronation’ rather than a formal leadership contest, which could paralyze the Government for months.

Although there are differences of opinion on how quickly to launch a coup, cabinet ministers, including Ed Miliband, are said to be ready to resign if the Prime Minister does not leave voluntarily.

In his latest defense, Nigel Farage warned the contest was ‘tight’ and voting for anyone other than Reform’s Rob Kenyon (R) would effectively support Labor

Interestingly, Mr Burnham met another potential leadership candidate, Wes Streeting, at Makerfield on Monday.

A source told the Guardian that ‘no deal has been made’, downplaying speculation that they were putting forward a joint approach.

Polls show Mr Burnham heading for victory, but opinion is notoriously difficult to gauge at the constituency level.

He is fighting Reformation at Makerfield but Nigel Farage’s bid has been blocked by competition from Restore Britain on the right.

In his latest defense, Mr Farage warned the contest was ‘tight’ and that voting for anyone other than Reform would effectively support Labor.

Yesterday Sir Keir tried to buy Mr Burnham off by saying he was prepared to offer him a ‘big’ job in government.

But this was rejected by the mayor, who told a rally last night that he would ‘change politics’ and ‘take the fight as high as I can handle it’.

Allies insisted that ‘Andy’s benefit was a wind of change in that he was not associated with the Government’s failures’.

Mr Burnham unveiled another ‘luvvie’ yesterday, with actor Hugh Grant arriving on site to help with the campaign.

In a video sent to X just after the polls opened this morning, to music by Manchester band New Order, Mr Burnham said: ‘This is an electoral change.

While Sir Keir has vowed to keep fighting, Mr Burnham’s allies are seeking to force him to leave

‘We left Westminster 10 years ago to build something different, something better.

‘We prioritized putting first instead of party first, problem solving rather than scoring points.

‘We have fought this fight for the people here and if I am lucky enough to be elected MP for Makerfield I will take that fight forward. ‘I will take this fight as high as I can handle 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 resigned after winning the Scottish Parliament election in May.