Andy Burnham has secured a thumping victory in the Makerfield by-election – but is it game over for Keir Starmer?

With a critical few days ahead, attention now turns to Labour’s cabinet ministers, MPs and party members. Who could make the first move to oust the Prime Minister?

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy have inside information from team Burnham and assess whether a ‘bloodless coup’ is really possible or whether rivals like Wes Streeting could disrupt the plan?

Is this really Labour’s last chance to reconnect with voters and could Andy Burnham reset the party’s fortunes?

Plus: are the Conservatives showing signs of a comeback after their surprise win in Aberdeen South?

Is the SNP continuing to pay the political price for the fallout from the Peter Murrell saga?

With just 24 hours until polling day, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy preview three pivotal by-elections that could reshape British politics.

The duo assess the contests in Makerfield, Aberdeen South and Arbroath & Broughty Ferry, exploring:

• Why Makerfield has become one of the most closely watched by-elections in recent political history
• How the Conservatives hope to capitalise on support for the oil and gas industry in Aberdeen South
• Why Arbroath & Broughty Ferry is a crucial test of the SNP’s ability to fend off Labour's challenge

Away from the campaign trail, Anne brings the latest intelligence from the UK-EU summit as political tensions continue to build in Westminster.

Plus, is the cabinet starting to forge a path for the future without Keir Starmer?

Sam and Anne will return on Friday morning for a special de-brief episode to discuss the impact of the by-election results on British politics.

The candidates standing in Makerfield by-election can be found here.

The candidates standing in Aberdeen South by-election can be found here.

The candidates standing in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry by-election can be found here.

As world leaders gather at the G7 summit – what's Keir Starmer’s top priority?

With tensions in the Middle East, a trade dispute with China, a continuing war in Ukraine and Russia’s apparent involvement in arson attacks on homes and a car linked to Keir Starmer, the PM has his hands full.

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy assess whether Starmer can turn high-level diplomacy into meaningful progress.

The duo also examine the latest polling data, which suggests Andy Burnham remains the only Labour figure the public sees as a potentially stronger Prime Minister than Starmer.

Plus, does Wes Streeting have the support to mount a leadership challenge if Labour's succession debate begins?

How is Keir Starmer planning to play this week?

The week which could end with Andy Burnham back in parliament.

We know the prime minister’s got a social media ban for under-16s to announce today and a G7 summit to attend.

But Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy discuss what else is on his mind, particularly after the resignation of John Healey as defence secretary – and whether a stubborn attitude is the right way to be.

They also have word on who’s back advising Keir Starmer.

The full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election can be found here.

Andy Burnham’s political opponents are finding plenty of attack lines to throw at him. So, are past comments and policy positions – from WASPI women to calls for an early election – coming back to haunt the Burnham campaign?

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy also wonder who is to blame for Keir Starmer’s troubles? Well, according to a focus group of Labour members – it's all the media’s fault!

The duo unpack the mood within the party and the continued paralysis at the heart of government – affecting everything from the delayed reset of relations with the EU to the even more delayed Defence Investment Plan.

You can see all the candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.

Has the unrest in Belfast sparked a new political battle over Britain’s immigration system

Political leaders have condemned the violent overnight protest after a Sudanese national was charged with attempted murder of a man in the city.

With parties scrambling to seize control of the narrative, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine how the case has reignited questions about immigration, border security and the UK's system of indefinite leave to remain.

Elsewhere, Nigel Farage holds his first major news conference since the local and national elections. Will Reform face renewed scrutiny over immigration decisions made by some of its leading figures during their time in Conservative government?

You can find the full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.

Is Andy Burnham having trouble putting clear teal water between himself and Nigel Farage, following comments calling for a tougher stance on immigration?

Sam Coates has more from Manchester on the state of the Burnham campaign and how his movements after the Makerfield by-election remain unclear.

Meanwhile, Anne McElvoy delves deeper into the defence dilemma – with military chiefs still reportedly in the dark over the contents of the Defence Investment Plan.

As Defence Secretary John Healey prepares to argue that Britain needs to build more military equipment at home, questions remain over whether the government has the money and political will to fund its ambition.

Plus, the duo check in on the latest polling numbers – did Reform UK’s bold response to the Henry Nowak killing fail to resonate with voters?

You can see a full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.

Can Keir Starmer wrestle back the spotlight from the Makerfield by-election?

After hosting world leaders in Downing Street and unveiling new plans for social media restrictions on children, the Prime Minister is trying to reclaim the agenda. But is the political attention still fixed on Andy Burnham in Manchester?

Sam Coates is on the ground in Manchester where the Labour bigwigs are out in force to support Burnham’s campaign. However, can the party balance the message for local voters while appealing to a national audience?

Plus, Anne McElvoy has some details on the delayed Defence Investment Plan as ministers race for a solution ahead of a key NATO summit next month.

A full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election can be found here.

With two weeks until the Makerfield by-election, does Andy Burnham really have a plan in place to run the country?

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the policy ideas – including an ambitious expansion of social housing construction – which could form a future leadership pitch.

Back in Westminster, the duo assess the fierce political fallout from the murder of Henry Nowak after a tense PMQs. What does Nigel Farage’s intervention mean for the government and policing?

Plus, has the Prime Minister’s chief ally, Darren Jones, been dragged into the Peter Mandelson scandal – with the release of a series of mysterious texts?

You can see the full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.

Westminster may look busy but are MPs just waiting for the potential return of Andy Burnham?

With the Makerfield by-election just over a week away Burnham insists he's focussed on winning the seat. But behind the scenes allies are already developing ideas that could underpin a future bid for No10.

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look at who is moulding the Burnham project and why certain plans for the economy and AI are attracting growing scrutiny from Westminster and the City.

You can get the full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.

What has Starmer loyalist Pat McFadden really been thinking when he’s been out defending the PM?

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy discuss how the latest Mandelson drop makes for an awkward morning in cabinet.

And they’ve lines from Labour’s deputy leader, Lucy Powell, from a podcast recording last night. Was she hinting that a leadership coronation is better than a leadership contest?

Plus, our latest voting intention poll shows Labour’s Reform challenge isn’t going away.

You can listen to the Matt Forde Political Party podcast here.