Polls set to open in Makerfield by-election

Reuters

People living in the Greater Manchester constituency of Makerfield will shortly head to the polls to elect their new MP.

More than 30 polling stations across the parliamentary constituency will open at 07:00 BST and close at 22:00, after which the count will take place. The result is expected early on Friday.

There are 14 candidates standing in the by-election, which was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Josh Simons.

It is one of three Westminster by-elections taking place, with voters in the Scottish constituencies of Arbroath and Broughty Ferry and Aberdeen South also heading to the polls after their MPs stood down to take up posts as MSPs following May's Holyrood elections.

PA Media

Voters have been reminded to bring a valid form of identification with them.

A passport, driving licence, bus pass, blue badge and a voter authority certificate are all accepted.

Photo IDs that are out of date can still be used if the image still looks like you.

Photocopies are not permitted.

The full list of candidates for the Makerfield by-election (in alphabetical order by surname) are:

• Jake Austin, Liberal Democrats
• Count Binface, Count Binface Party
• Andy Burnham, Labour and Co-operative 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

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Makerfield by-election