In conversations with residents, business owners and campaigners in Makerfield, the BBC found a mixed mood.

I read this article this morning, about the Makerfield by-election.

Who do you want to win? It’s obviously a significant by-election. If Burnham wins, he might become the new prime minister, and perhaps he would revive Labour’s fortunes. But if Reform win, it would give them a lot of momentum, and it would be a big blow to Labour.