Special Report: How the Makerfield by-election could change everything
6/17/202653 min
Whatever happens in Makerfield in the next 24 hours, the outcome will be momentous. If Andy Burnham wins, we could see him challenge Keir Starmer for Prime Minister by the end of the week. If Burnham loses, then Labour are plunged into a whole new level of existential crisis. Either way, this will be one of the most significant by-elections in British electoral history - the stakes could hardly be higher.
Jon, Emily and Lewis have this special report from the constituency. What do the people of Makerfield want to see change in Westminster? Are voters happy with the prospect of potentially electing the next Prime Minister? And why are the Burnham team feeling nervy just hours out from polling opening?
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First 90 secondsKeir Starmer· Soundbite0:00
[upbeat music] This is a global production.
Jon Sopel· Host0:04
In 24 hours' time, in Makerfield, potentially the entire fate of the rest of the Parliament will be determined. You've got Burnham, he's got the wind in his sails at the moment, and so he's not terribly interested in being told by Keir Starmer, “Just be patient.” Feels to me like is you've got a police van outside with a loudhailer saying, "Come out with your hands up," and you've got Keir Starmer inside Number 10 saying, "You're gonna have to come and get me." Westminster consensus kind of move to say Burnham's got this in the bag. I don't get that sense of confidence whatsoever from Burnham's team, and I think they're right not to be confident.
Lewis Goodall· Host0:38
Would you bring Burnham back into your cabinet?
Keir Starmer· Soundbite0:39
Oh, Andy's a great asset, and, um, yes, I want him to have a big, uh, role in government.
Lewis Goodall· Host0:44
Back in- When I came into- Are you gonna call him at the weekend and invite him back into your cabinet?
Keir Starmer· Soundbite0:48
Well, I'm sure I'll talk to Andy, um, after the weekend. Of course I will. I've spoken to him many times in recent, um, weeks. Um, and when I came into politics in 2015, um, it was Andy Burnham's team that I joined, and we work very well, um, together. He's a huge asset. Uh, he's been a fantastic mayor in Manchester, and if he comes back into Parliament, I hope he wins- Mm ... in the by-election.
Jon Sopel· Host1:11
That's the Prime Minister speaking to Sky News, and you can hear there a political leader in the most uncomfortable place for a political leader to be. He knows that his fate is no longer his own. It isn't being decided in Evian, where he is at the G7 Summit, and it won't be decided