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  "path": "/politics/politics-live-labour-keir-starmer-reform-nigel-farage-makerfield",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-18T06:30:49.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
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    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
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  "textContent": "\n\n\nVoting 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.\n\nMore than 30 stations opened at 7am this morning, with constituents able to visit anytime before 10pm to cast their ballot.\n\nFourteen candidates are standing in the by-election, which was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Josh Simons.\n\nAfter 10pm tonight, a vote count will take place, with the result expected to be declared tomorrow morning.\n\nThe full list of candidates for the Makerfield by-election is as follows:\n\n-Jake Austin, Liberal Democrats\n-Count Binface, Count Binface Party\n-Andy Burnham, Labour Party\n-Dan Clarke, Libertarian Party\n-John Dyer, Independent\n-Ed Gemmell, Climate Party\n-Paul Gould, Independent\n-Alan 'Howlin' Laud Hope, The Official Monster Raving Loony Party\n-Robert Kenyon, Reform UK\n-Robert Pownall, Independent\n-Rebecca Shepherd, Restore Britain\n-Sarah Wakefield, Green Party\n-Peter Ward, Rejoin EU\n-Michael Winstanley, Conservative Party\n\nVoters 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\n_**Stay up to date with the latest political coverage from GB News throughout the day below...**_\n\n### Keir Starmer condemns 'reckless' Russian ship firing near yacht in English Channel\n\n\n\n\nIt was \"reckless\" for a drifting Russian ship to fire warning shots near a yacht in the English Channel, the Prime Minister has said.\n\nThe 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.\n\nSir Keir Starmer told journalists the incident \"was deeply concerning, and reckless, on the Russian side\".\n\nAsked 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.\n\n\"Alongside that, we've got proxy attacks from Russia and Iran in the UK, across Europe. We are dealing with those every single day.\"\n\nThe PM thanked the security and intelligence services \"for the work that they do to keep us all safe\".\n\n### Two Scottish by-elections today: Polls now open\n\n\n\n\nPolls 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.\n\nFormer SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn stood down last month after he was elected as an MSP, with Stephen Gethins doing the same.\n\nCandidates for Aberdeen South include:\n\n  * Richard Thomson, SNP\n  * Douglas Lumsden, Conservative Party\n  * Jo Hart, Reform UK\n  * Jorg Shelton Eckstein, Green Party\n  * Mel Sullivan, Liberal Democrats\n  * Nurul Hoque Ali, Labour\n  * David Ballantine, Alliance for Democracy and Freedom\n\n\n\nCandidates for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry include:\n\n  * Lara Bird, SNP\n  * Bill Reid Reform UK\n  * Heather Doran, Labour\n  * Jack Cruickshanks, Conservative Party\n  * Tanvir Ahmad, Liberal Democrats\n\n\n\nPolling stations opened at 7am and will close at 10pm, with ballots to be counted overnight.\n\nVoters will also be have to show ID before being allowed to cast their ballot\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Makerfield by-election: Polls open in contest which could decide Keir Starmer's future"
}