If Andy Burnham wins in Makerfield, after Reform tore through the area last week, it will be seized as proof he can hold back the turquoise tide. Lose, and Keir Starmer will argue that it’s not so easy after all.
It’s a big responsibility for 76,000 people, half of whom turned out to vote last time.
Makerfield is the by-election that will shape Britain’s future. Activists from both parties will besiege residents, in these working-class suburbs between Wigan and Leigh. Keep an eye out for which Cabinet ministers turn up to knock doors for Burnham.
Nigel Farage’s story about the undeclared £5m gift he accepted from a crypto tycoon is evolving. First, in an attempt to spoil another paper’s scoop, he told the Telegraph that it was a personal gift to pay for security for the rest of his life. (He has faced repeated attacks.) “This money was given to me so that I would be safe and secure for the rest of my life.”
Now Farage gives The Sun a slightly different explanation, describing the £5m as a reward for his Brexit campaign: “This was given to me on an unconditional basis, completely unconditional basis. But frankly, it was given as a reward for campaigning for Brexit for 27 years.”
The rules say MPs must declare any potentially relevant gifts received in the 12 months before they enter the Commons.
He denies wrongdoing.
Over to Parliament’s ethics watchdog, which is investigating.
X: @olyduff