Makerfield.

 This small constituency on the outskirts of Manchester, is the epicentre of politics at the moment. The by-election is on Thursday 18 June and Andy Burnham, is hoping to win the seat and then start his campaign to become prime minister. The one unifying theme in the locality is - the cost of living and how difficult it is to make a reasonable living, according to many voters, Burnham’s main problem is his - ‘wish to be liked and be popular’. This was apparently a common complaint about him according to Ailbhe Rea, of The New Statesman magazine this week. Is there any prime minister who can make a fundamental difference to the quality of life for constituents across the country? This is the current touchstone and underlying political bete noire issue. Since the financial meltdown of 2008/9 living standards have basically collapsed and the Brexit referendum and Covid have - further undermined the economy. We are a much poorer nation as a consequence of these - three major shocks to the welfare of the nation. Makerfield will make its opinion known in a little over a week from now.