Burnham says he wants to ensure Makerfield byelection ‘changes British politics’, in eve-of-poll speech – as it happened

This blog has now closed. See all our UK politics coverage here Andy Burnham may have trouble getting through to Keir Starmer if he tries ringing him after the Makerfield byelection to urge him to set a timetable for his departure. Burnham reportedly wants to call Starmer this weekend. (See 9.47am .) But, in his interview with Sky News, Starmer said: “I’m sure I’ll talk to Andy after the weekend.” If Starmer declines to take Burnham’s call, he may be following Ed Miliband’s example. In a Times story today , Patrick Maguire and Steven Swinford report: Sir Keir Starmer’s relationship with Ed Miliband has broken down to such an extent that the energy secretary has been accused of “ghosting” the prime minister in recent weeks. Senior government sources claimed that Miliband declined to take calls from the prime minister during a tense stand-off over defence spending. Continue reading...