Voices: I’ve covered Labour for decades – ask me anything as polls open in Makerfield by-election

I’ve covered Labour for decades – ask me anything as polls open in Makerfield by-election With Andy Burnham’s return to frontline politics, Nigel Farage’s Reform threat and Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership all under scrutiny, chief political commentator John Rentoul is here to answer your questions and offer his insight from Westminster - Bookmark Welcome to an exclusive Ask Me Anything session with me, John Rentoul, chief political commentator at The Independent. To see my questions and answers, scroll down. Make sure to press the “load more” button to read the full Q&A. The Makerfield by-election is expected to send a major signal about the direction of British politics – and the future of the Labour leadership battle at Westminster. This was never going to be just a local contest for a long-standing Labour seat. When sitting MP Josh Simons stood down he made it clear that he was making way for a much bigger political test – for Sir Keir Starmer’s authority, for Andy Burnham’s return to frontline politics, and for Reform UK’s ability to turn momentum into real electoral gains. If Burnham wins, it will be read in Westminster as a launchpad for a leadership challenge and an intervention in Labour’s internal balance of power. If Reform UK takes the seat, it will sharpen questions about Labour’s grip on its heartlands and strengthen Nigel Farage’s claim that a political realignment is underway. Meanwhile, Farage’s dominance of the hard right of British politics is being challenged by Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain, reinforcing the sense that this is no longer a traditional two-party fight – although the Green Party assault on the established parties, so successful in the Gorton and Denton by-election, seems to have stalled in Makerfield. Whatever the outcome, Makerfield is set to be a defining moment. So what does Makerfield really tell us about where British politics is heading? Does it strengthen or undermine Starmer’s position? What does it mean for Burnham’s ambitions? And is the right now permanently fragmented – or just temporarily split? Join me below on Friday 18 June between 1pm and 2pm BST for the Q&A. If you’re struggling to post, please make sure you are logged in to a registered account on independent.co.uk. Register or log in here – then return to this page to submit your question! [Image text:] Ask Me Anything A with John Rentoul JOTE ANDY