Voters will go to the polls in Makerfield on Thursday in what could be one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history.

Andy Burnham is standing as Labour’s candidate in the Greater Manchester constituency with the hope of returning to parliament to oust Keir Starmer and replace him as prime minister.

Mr Starmer said on Wednesday he was willing to offer the Mayor of Greater Manchester a “big” job in his government, should Mr Burnham win when Thursday’s votes are counted.

But allies of Mr Burnham said he was not interested in the offer, insisting “the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government’s failings”.

Mr Burnham and his allies are reported to be hoping for a “coronation” in which Mr Starmer stands aside, rather than a leadership contest, which they believe would be damaging to the Labour Party’s brand, according to the Times.

But the prime minister has repeatedly made it clear he has no intention of standing down and says that he will fight any challenge to his leadership.

According to the Guardian, several cabinet ministers have had to be talked out of resigning early by Mr Burnham’s camp to prevent the government descending into chaos ahead of the by-election.

Mr Burnham’s supporters within the government had intended to quit early to pressure the prime minister into making way for his rival, the newspaper said.

Wes Streeting, the former health secretary who resigned to launch a prospective Labour leadership bid, is said to have met Mr Burnham while campaigning in Makerfield on Monday, the Guardian also reported.

NAN)