Keir Starmer's UK leadership may hinge on special election result

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's future as head of the government is on the line in a special election.

Voters in the Makerfield district of northwest England are electing a new lawmaker, and the leading contender is Andy Burnham, the current mayor of Greater Manchester and the hot favourite to be the next prime minister.

If Burnham wins the seat for the Labour Party, he is almost certain to challenge the embattled Starmer for leadership of the party, and the country.

On Wednesday, Starmer implied he would give Burnham a big role in the government.

The prime minister said he would not relinquish his leadership.

However, he has struggled to deliver promised economic growth, repair tattered public services, and tarnished by his appointment of scandal-plagued Peter Mandelson as Britain's ambassador to Washington.