Polls close in historic Makerfield byelection that could see Andy Burnham elected and pave way for end of Starmer – UK politics live

Polls closed on June 18, 2026, in the Makerfield byelection, a contest where Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham sought a victory that could potentially influence national politics. Reform UK, a party that has seen significant electoral performance in recent byelection contests, briefed that they anticipated achieving their highest vote share in Makerfield. This projection aimed to surpass the 39% secured by Sarah Pochin in the Runcorn and Helsby byelection in 2025, an election Reform UK reportedly won by a narrow margin of six votes. While Runcorn and Helsby represented a notable result for Reform UK, the article notes that the party's predecessor, Ukip, achieved a 60% vote share in the Clacton byelection in 2014, indicating a historical precedent for strong performances by similar political movements in specific constituencies. The outcome of the Makerfield byelection was closely watched for its potential implications on the leadership of the Labour party and the broader political landscape.