Does the King of the North' have what it takes to keep Makerfield red?

"From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story."

"The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. The country's in chaos, isn't it? It's just dreadful and Starmer is doing nothing, says Joan Preston."

"The 82-year-old had been a lifelong Labour voter until Sir Keir Starmer became its leader, when she abandoned it, believing it no longer to be the party of the working class. But a change could be about to win her back. I would go with Labour if Andy Burnham stood, she tells The Independent in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Greater Manchester. We'd always voted Labour, all of our family. If he were still here, my Dad would be saying to me what do you mean you're not voting Labour? They're for the people. They're for the working people'."

"This market town, found four miles south of Wigan, was abruptly thrust into the limelight this week when its Labour MP, Josh Simons, announced he would stand down to make way for Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to attempt to return to parliament a move widely expected to see him challenge"

The Independent focuses on on-the-ground reporting across issues including reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech. It emphasizes parsing facts from messaging and sending journalists to speak to both sides of developing stories. The outlet describes trust across the political spectrum and states that reporting and analysis are not locked behind paywalls, aiming for accessibility funded by those who can afford it. A political example centers on Joan Preston, an 82-year-old lifelong Labour voter who left the party after Keir Starmer became leader. She says she would vote Labour again if Andy Burnham stood, believing he represents working people. Her view is tied to local Labour dynamics in Ashton-in-Makerfield, where Labour MP Josh Simons plans to stand down to allow Andy Burnham to attempt to return to parliament.

Read at www.independent.co.uk