Burnham confirmed for Makerfield by-election

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has been officially confirmed as the Labour candidate for the Makerfield by-election, marking his bid for a return to Westminster.

Burnham's campaign has already sparked controversy over his refusal to push for rejoining the European Union, a move allies say is necessary to win back working-class voters.

He will face Reform UK's Robert Kenyon, a local plumber, in a contest being viewed as a potential springboard for a future leadership challenge against Keir Starmer.

New polling suggests Burnham would be a clear favorite among party members in a head-to-head fight for the top job.