5 Main Candidates Clash in Makerfield Debate as 14 Seek Seat Vacated for Burnham
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 8
5 Main Candidates Clash in Makerfield Debate as 14 Seek Seat Vacated for Burnham
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 8
Summary
Five main-party candidates faced off in a live Makerfield by-election debate ahead of the 18 June vote, with cost of living and immigration emerging as early flashpoints.
Andy Burnham pitched Labour on cheaper transport, citing a £2 bus fare cap and plans to bring Makerfield rail stations into Greater Manchester’s capped Bee Network within a couple of years.
Conservative Michael Winstanley and Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon both pushed more North Sea drilling and attacks on net zero, while Green Sarah Wakefield argued for insulation, public ownership and renewables to cut bills.
Liberal Democrat Jake Austin said energy firms had profited from higher oil and gas prices linked to conflict with Iran, arguing those gains should be returned to households.
The contest has wider stakes because Josh Simons resigned to let Burnham run; Burnham has said he would enter any Labour leadership race if he wins a seat Labour held for more than 120 years.