Starmer’s future hangs in balance after Burnham’s Makerfield election win

Ashton-in-Makerfield, United Kingdom – Sue Hailwood has felt exhausted since May, when the date of a critical by-election in her town was announced. For months, Ashton-in-Makerfield, the suburban northern ward whose by-election looks set to determine the UK’s next prime minister, has been visited by swarms of activists and journalists. Recommended Stories list of 4 items end of list Political party volunteers have been busy knocking on doors, while protesters have been arguing with one another. It’s been “absolutely horrendous”, said Hailwood, a charity shop worker. Vinyl record shop owner Peter Thompson said the attention on the area nestled between the post-industrial northern town of Wigan and the glass skyscrapers of nearby Manchester was “stupidly hectic”. “There have been Americans, a French magazine, a TV crew from Sweden and a TV crew from Denmark,” he said. “It’s the most important by-election in the history of this country.” The stakes were high, and in the end, Andy Burnham easily won Thursday’s vote, viewed as a prelude to a Labour leadership contest. Charity shop worker Sue Hailwood said she is tired of the media attention on her town [Simon Speakman Cordall/Al Jazeera] Burnham, 56, has said he plans to challenge 62-year-old Prime Minister Keir Starmer. On Friday, the premier said he will stand in any race and will not “walk away”. How the next few days and weeks play out remains to be seen. …