A special election in the Makerfield district of northwest England on June 18th is being widely viewed as a crucial test for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Labour party. While Starmer himself is not directly on the ballot, the outcome is considered significant for his political future. The election was triggered by a vacancy and features Andy Burnham, the current Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, as the frontrunner. Burnham is also considered a potential future prime minister, adding further weight to the contest. Analysts suggest a strong showing by Burnham could position him as a viable challenger to Starmer’s leadership. The result will be closely watched as a barometer of national sentiment ahead of a general election. FRANCE 24’s Benedicte Paviot is reporting on the implications of this key by-election.