Polls open in historic byelection in Makerfield that could determine Keir Starmer’s future – UK politics live

Andy Burnham hopes a successful byelection will mean he can encourage Keir Starmer to step aside as prime minister

An election that could shape the future of UK politics for years to come is taking place on Thursday. But it is only happening in one small part of north-west England, with little more than 70,000 people eligible to vote.

Why? It is a question with a number of answers, some connected to the structure of the British political system, others much more topical.