Game on: All eyes on Makerfield by-election
From Political Fix by Financial Times
May 22, 2026 · 45 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the implications of the Makerfield by-election and its significance for Labour's leadership and direction.
Andy Burnham running for the Makerfield by-election has become far more than a contest for a safe Labour seat. It is being seen as a proxy battle over Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, Labour’s direction after its bruising local election results, and even whether Reform UK can break permanently into Labour’s northern heartlands. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by George Parker, political editor, Robert Shrimsley, UK chief political commentator, and Jen Williams, northern England correspondent to discuss the latest developments. The team also examines the economic offerings and political positioning of the prospective Labour leadership contenders Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting. Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @ lucyfisher.ft.com ; George Parker @GeorgeWParker ; Robert Shrimsley @robertshrimsley ; Jennifer Williams @JenWilliams Want more? How will Andy Burnham pay for his plans for the UK? What version of Manchesterism is Andy Burnham offering? Wes Streeting floats ‘wealth tax’ in bid to woo Labour left Wes Streeting: the confident performer with a mixed record of reform Greens consider helping Labour’s Andy Burnham in Makerfield by-election Reeves cuts food tariffs and children’s…
People in this episode
Host: Lucy Fisher
Guests: George Parker, Robert Shrimsley, Jen Williams
Topics covered
- by-election
- Labour leadership
- political strategy
- economic policy
- local election results
- northern politics
Keywords
- Andy Burnham
- Makerfield
- Labour
- by-election
- politics
- Keir Starmer
- Reform UK
- Wes Streeting
- economic policy
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Labour, Reform UK, Financial Times
Places: Makerfield, northern England
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