Starmer'sLabour rival eyes win in UK poll key to PM's fate

ASHTON-IN-MAKERFIELD, Jun 18: UK voters went to the polls on Thursday in a historic local election which could determine the future of beleaguered Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

All eyes are on Labour veteran and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham seeking to win the parliamentary by-election for the Makerfield constituency in northwestern England, so he can then try to oust Starmer as party leader and win the keys to Downing Street.

Polling stations opened at 7:00 am (0600 GMT). They will close at 10:00 pm, with counting due to begin straight away. Pollsters expect Burnham to win the landmark contest, but he faces a tough fight from the hard-right Reform UK party.�" AFP