Makerfield by-election: Polls open in contest which could decide Keir Starmer's future

Voting has opened in the Makerfield by-election, as residents in the Greater Manchester constituency head to their local polling station to elect their new MP.

More than 30 stations opened at 7am this morning, with constituents able to visit anytime before 10pm to cast their ballot.

Fourteen candidates are standing in the by-election, which was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Josh Simons.

After 10pm tonight, a vote count will take place, with the result expected to be declared tomorrow morning.

The full list of candidates for the Makerfield by-election is as follows:

-Jake Austin, Liberal Democrats -Count Binface, Count Binface Party -Andy Burnham, Labour Party -Dan Clarke, Libertarian Party -John Dyer, Independent -Ed Gemmell, Climate Party -Paul Gould, Independent -Alan 'Howlin' Laud Hope, The Official Monster Raving Loony Party -Robert Kenyon, Reform UK -Robert Pownall, Independent -Rebecca Shepherd, Restore Britain -Sarah Wakefield, Green Party -Peter Ward, Rejoin EU -Michael Winstanley, Conservative Party

Voters are reminded to bring a valid form of identification – a passport, driving licence, bus pass, blue badge and a voter authority certificate are all accepted.

The Makerfield by-election is just one of three contests taking place today, with voters in the Scottish constituencies of Arbroath & Broughty Ferry and Aberdeen South also heading to the polls.

Stay up to date with the latest political coverage from GB News throughout the day below...

Keir Starmer condemns 'reckless' Russian ship firing near yacht in English Channel

It was "reckless" for a drifting Russian ship to fire warning shots near a yacht in the English Channel, the Prime Minister has said.

The shots were fired on Tuesday some 20 nautical miles (30km) south of the Isle of Wight, outside the UK's territorial waters, by the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich.

Sir Keir Starmer told journalists the incident "was deeply concerning, and reckless, on the Russian side".

Asked whether Russia was testing the UK limits, also referring to Russian-backed arson attacks on the prime minister's own home, Starmer replied: "Ukraine is now in its fifth year of conflict with the Russian invasion of another country.

"Alongside that, we've got proxy attacks from Russia and Iran in the UK, across Europe. We are dealing with those every single day."

The PM thanked the security and intelligence services "for the work that they do to keep us all safe".

Two Scottish by-elections today: Polls now open

Polls have opened in two Scottish by-elections called after the incumbents were elected to Holyrood, with voters in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry choosing their new MPs.

Former SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn stood down last month after he was elected as an MSP, with Stephen Gethins doing the same.

Candidates for Aberdeen South include:

• Richard Thomson, SNP
• Douglas Lumsden, Conservative Party
• Jo Hart, Reform UK
• Jorg Shelton Eckstein, Green Party
• Mel Sullivan, Liberal Democrats
• Nurul Hoque Ali, Labour
• David Ballantine, Alliance for Democracy and Freedom

Candidates for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry include:

• Lara Bird, SNP
• Bill Reid Reform UK
• Heather Doran, Labour
• Jack Cruickshanks, Conservative Party
• Tanvir Ahmad, Liberal Democrats

Polling stations opened at 7am and will close at 10pm, with ballots to be counted overnight.

Voters will also be have to show ID before being allowed to cast their ballot

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