The chaotic but oddly convivial mood in Makerfield belies the high-stakes by-election that will decide the future of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s premiership, with polls closing Thursday evening after a day of intense campaigning. The 76,000 voters in this former Labour stronghold, where Brexit sentiment runs deep, now hold the fate of British politics in their hands, transforming a once-obscure constituency into the epicentre of national attention. Campaign worker Louise told *Dagens Nyheter* that locals are unaccustomed to such scrutiny, yet the outcome could reshape the political landscape entirely .

The by-election, widely seen as a referendum on Starmer’s leadership, pits Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham—Labour’s odds-on favourite to succeed him—against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, whose party has surged in recent polls. *The New York Times* reports that Burnham’s victory could trigger Starmer’s ouster, while a Reform UK upset would signal a seismic shift toward the right . Meanwhile, former EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier stoked controversy by suggesting the UK could rejoin the bloc on preferential terms, including retaining the pound and opting out of Schengen, if voters reversed course .

Barnier’s remarks, made ahead of the Brexit referendum’s 10th anniversary, underscore the lingering divisions over Europe. *Foreign Policy* examines the broader malaise in British politics and economics, with two new books probing the roots of the country’s dysfunction . Yet in Makerfield, the focus remains on the immediate contest. *Politico*’s live coverage captures the frenetic final hours, as Farage and Burnham vie for every vote in a constituency where Brexit’s legacy still looms large .

As the polls close, the nation waits to see whether Labour’s traditional heartland will hold or crumble under Reform UK’s challenge. The result, expected overnight, could either stabilise Starmer’s government or plunge British politics into uncharted territory. For the 76,000 voters of Makerfield, the decision is final—but its consequences will ripple far beyond their constituency.

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Articles

#UK could keep special pre-Brexit terms if it rejoined #EU, #MichelBarnier says | #Brexit | The GuardianDont threaten me with a good time. Seriously, though, Im a little sceptical but Im not the one making the rules.

mastodon bot · 15 days ago

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irozhlas.cz · 15 days ago

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la libre · 15 days ago

76 000 britter kan avgöra hela landets framtid MAKERFIELD. De har gått från osynliga till den brittiska politikens epicentrum. Nu följer hela Storbritannien vad väljarna i Makerfield gör. – Invånarna här är inte vana vid ett sådant ståhej, säger kampanjarbetaren Louise.

dagens nyheter · 15 days ago

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foreignpolicy.com · 15 days ago

UK could keep special pre-Brexit terms if it rejoined EU, Michel Barnier says Exclusive: Former chief Brexit negotiator says staying out of euro and Schengen area would be perfectly possibleCynical to get power: Michel Barnier on Boris Johnson, Brexit and the EUs futureMichel Barnier has said Britain could regain its special terms if it rejoined the EU and claimed it was becoming clearer every day to the British people that they would be stronger in Europe.In an interview before the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum next week, the EUs former chief Brexit negotiator said he could not see any obstacle to the UK keeping the pound and remaining outside the passport-free Schengen travel area should the country rejoin. Continue reading...

theguardian · 15 days ago

Why the By-Election in Makerfield Will Have Giant Consequences for the UK Here is what to know about the by-election on Thursday in Makerfield, the outcome of which could lead to Prime Minister Keir Starmers ouster.

new york times · 15 days ago

Just hours of voting remain in the Makerfield by-election. Despite the huge implications for PM Keir Starmer, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and the future of British politics, the mood on the ground is chaotic but pleasant, @ecasalicchio.bsky.social writes👇 Live: www.politico.eu/article/make...

bluesky bot · 15 days ago

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telegraph · 15 days ago

Eleição em Makerfield pode abalar Starmer A votação, iniciada às 7h locais (mesma hora em Lisboa), decorre até às 22h

observador · 15 days ago

UK could keep special pre-Brexit terms if it rejoined EU, Michel Barnier says | Brexit #Europe

mastodon bot · 15 days ago

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telegraph · 15 days ago

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financial times · 15 days ago

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financial times · 15 days ago