It isn’t just the names of the 14 candidates which are on the ballot paper as voters in Makerfield go to the polls today.

The fate of the prime minister is also in the hands of the seat’s 77,000 constituents as they decide who should represent them at Westminster.

That is why the by-election is the most important in British politics in living memory.

It was triggered by sitting MP Josh Simon’s extraordinary decision to voluntarily stand down to give Andy Burnham the chance to become an MP again after a nine year absence.

The Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, who has twice tried and failed to become the party’s leader, has made no secret of his ambition to become prime minister should he see off the challenge of Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon.

Two weeks ago, during a special Makerfield edition of the BBC’s Question Time, he confirmed the worst kept secret in politics by admitting he will join any leadership contest to replace Keir Starmer in No.10.

Wes Streeting – who quit as health secretary in protest at the PM’s leadership after Labour were thrashed in the local elections on May 7 – has already confirmed that he could launch his own bid for the top job within days.

That means that, should Burnham emerge triumphant in the early hours of Friday morning, the clock will start ticking down on Starmer’s exit from Downing Street less than two years after he led Labour to a landslide general election victory.

According to every opinion poll which has been published during the month-long by-election campaign, Burnham is on course to win.

That would obviously be good news for him, as well as a massive relief for the Labour Party in a seat they have held since it was formed more than 40 years ago.

And while Starmer would have to go through the motions of congratulating his leadership rival, he would also know that it would virtually guarantee that he will shortly become a former prime minister.

Labour MPs terrified by the very real threat posed by Reform to their political futures will see in Burnham a potential saviour.

Because be in no doubt, with Nigel Farage’s party continuing to lead in the national opinion polls and the government plumbing new depths of unpopularity, no other Labour candidate could have won the seat.

Quite simply, the clamour in the Parliamentary Labour Party for Burnham to replace Starmer as prime minister will be irresistible.

While Starmer may well be right when he says a Labour leadership election over the summer would mean “chaos” for the country, and is genuine in his determination to fight any challenge, the political reality is that it is a contest he is bound to lose.

Despite Streeting’s insistence that he has the support of enough Labour MPs to throw his own hat into the ring, the most likely outcome would be a coronation for Burnham, possibly even before MPs go on their summer recess next month.

Starmer would much rather Burnham took a job in his government and bided his time.

The vanishingly small chance of that happening was extinguished on Wednesday afternoon when sources in Burnham’s camp made it clear he would reject any such offer.

But the Makerfield result will not just throw up existential questions for the prime minister.

If, as expected, Reform fail for the second by-election in a row following the Green Party’s triumph in Gorton and Denton, Farage will also have a lot of explaining to do.

All things being equal, Makerfield – where two-thirds of voters backed Brexit a decade ago and Reform won all eight council wards on May 7 – should have been a shoo-in for the party.

The choice of “plucky plumber” Robert Kenyon as their candidate was a huge gamble, given what they must surely have known about his social media history. Unless there is a massive upset, it is a gamble which will have failed.

The level of support for Restore Britain, the even more right-wing party led by former Reform MP Rupert Lowe, will also be worth watching.

Anything above 7% will suggest that Farage is facing a growing challenge on his right flank, in much the same way as he inflicted huge damage on the Tories when he himself was leader of Ukip.

Whatever the result, Britain will wake up to a very different political landscape on Friday morning, and things will not be the same again.

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

Brooklyn Peltz Beckham has recently released an ad with food delivery company Doordash that some see as a comment on his relationship with his estranged family.

In former posts,The Beckhams’ oldest child alleged the rift came about because of his parents’ “performative” and “controlling” behaviour and attempts to “ruin” his relationship with wife Nicola Peltz Beckham.

Brooklyn’s commercial, which aired during the World Cup, involved the former photographer sitting on a sofa.

He said: “You’re probably wondering why I’m watching the FIFA World Cup 2026 from home. It’s a long story,” before tossing his football tickets onto a table.

“It’s complicated. More soon,” text overlaid on the table read.

Many have taken the ad as a swipe about his family issues.

Speaking to Metro, a source said the advert has “left his family stunned… No one could have predicted he would do something like this. Monetising this situation will be heartbreaking for David and Victoria, especially after his dig at ‘Brand Beckham’ in his statement.”

Earlier this year, Brooklyn had shared a statement on the family rupture which read: “My family values public promotion and endorsements above all else. Brand Beckham comes first.

“Family ‘love’ is decided by how much you post on social media, or how quickly you drop everything to show up and pose for a family photo opp, even if it’s at the expense of our professional obligations.”

Under his DoorDash Instagram post, some site users accused Brooklyn’s commercial as “tasteless,” while others said: “Doesn’t want to be a Beckham but happy to profit from the name”.

Yet another called for him to drop his surname entirely, writing: “No hate just observation… if you hate them so much drop the name and stop profiting from association.”

The war in Iran has been “a strategic defeat” for Donald Trump despite his repeated claims of victory, according to a leading Middle East expert.

Jeremy Bowen, the BBC’s international affairs editor, said the Tehran regime had been left “empowered” by the conflict, despite the US president’s stated aim of bringing them down.

Trump signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran agreeing to end hostilities while talks continue over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Under the deal, Iran has agreed to re-open the Strait of Hormuz, in return for being able to export oil again.

The war began on February 28 when America and Israel joined forces to launch bombing raids on Iran.

Speaking on Radio 4′s Today programme, Bowen said it had been a failure for both countries.

“We’re looking at the reality of a strategic defeat for the United States and by extension for Israel,” he said.

“Look back at what they said when all this started on February 28. Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu said there was going to be regime change, Donald Trump called for unconditional surrender.

“Now we’re in a situation where the Iranian regime and the Americans through intermediaries did this deal essentially speaking to each other as equals in this.

“While the concessions in the deal to Iran are predicated on the success of the nuclear negotiations, the fact is it is front-loaded with inducements, not least the ability to immediately start exporting oil in return for opening up the Strait of Hormuz.

“So I think we’re looking at an empowered Iranian regime which had had its worst nightmare happen, which is a joint attack by the Americans and the Israelis aiming at regime change, they got through it [and] it didn’t happen.”

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

Friends star Lisa Kudrow received a Lifetime of Culture award at the tongue-in-cheek Las Culturistas Culture Awards 20626.

Hosted by Wicked actor Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers of the Las Culturistas podcast, Lisa’s acceptance speech began after a rendition of her Friends character’s iconic song, Smelly Cat, by Pitch Perfect star Ben Platt.

(In 2025, the Dear Evan Hansen actor delivered an orchestra-backed version of Addison Rae’s Diet Pepsi at the event).

Following the performance, Kudrow accepted her award, saying: “Thank you so much. Winning this Lifetime Culture award is everything to me.

“I know what got me here tonight. It’s a career of meticulous planning to impress Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang,” she joked.

“There’s no time for all the details, but Romy and Michelle – I knew that what… I was doing as going to be enough for them. Slam-dunk.”

Lisa co-starred in the 1997 cult movie.

She continued, “It goes way back, too. When I auditioned for Friends in 1994, I thought, ’This is the show I should do. ‘Cos you know who’s going to love it? Four-year-old Matt and not-yet-born Bowen!’”

“All culminating in – not a coincidence – the third season of The Comeback. I knew Matt and Bowen would have to give me this award this year. So, thank you, gentleman, for playing right into my hands. And a bigger thanks to me, Lisa, for having my priorities straight.”

The award Lisa won was handed to her by her The Comeback co-star Malin Akerman.

Other winners of the night included Desperate Housewives actor Eva Longoria for Tiny Woman, Huge Impact award, Love Island USA’s Olandria for the Yess!! Award For Girl We Learned About This Year (And Loved), and Wanda Sykes for Eternal Lesbian Of The Pop Culture Mind.

Nigel Farage has been roasted over a photo of himself he posted online to celebrate England’s victory on Wednesday night.

The Reform UK leader shared an image of himself wearing a three lions football shirt and drinking a pint in a pub to mark England’s 4-2 win over Croatia in their first game of the 2026 World Cup.

He added in the caption on X: “Proper job. @England”

But, as first spotted by the Mirror’s deputy political editor Mikey Smith, it seemed to be an almost identical photo to one Farage posted from 2024 to celebrate an England win at the Euros in 2024.

Smith wrote on X: “Incredible coincidence that Nigel Farage watched the England game in the same spot in the same pub, with the same flags up, wearing the same top and standing next to someone wearing an identical top as he did during the Euros in 2024.”

A Reform source dismissed the criticism, claiming the Mirror journalist should get a reality check and “touch some grass”.

But a Labour source told HuffPost UK: “From the questions over his secret £5 million ‘gift’, who paid for his Clacton house, and swathes of potentially undeclared private jet and chopper trips with his donor – it’s clear you can’t trust a word Nigel Farage says.

“If Farage can’t even be straight with the public on where he watched the football, you’re left to wonder – what else is he hiding?”

A similar reaction unfolded across social media as critics leapt to call out the Clacton MP.

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

Last night (Wednesday 17 June) marked the fifth Las Culturistas awards ceremony, hosted by the hit podcast’s stars, actors Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers.

Lisa Kudrow received an interesting rendition of Friends song Smelly Cat, performed by Pitch Perfect star Ben Platt, at the tongue-in-cheek award ceremony.

Wanda Sykes, meanwhile, scooped up Eternal Lesbian Of The Pop Culture Mind.

And Barbie actor Will Ferrell won the Titan of Culture award before giving un unexpected pride speech.

The actor began his speech by saying: “Be proud of yourself. I think we should all celebrate our pride.

“For example, I have pride about being an actor and a filmmaker, but I also have pride about being a husband to a wife.

“I guess what I’m saying is I’m proud to be straight. God, it feels good to finally say that,” Will joked.

He added, “The second, more important thing after pride is to be happy, be joyful, be gay. Have gay pride! Starting this month, I hereby declare June… Pride Month!”

June is, of course, already Pride Month, and has been for decades.

Co-host Matt had begun the second televised Las Culturistas ceremony by saying, “It’s a huge queer celebration honouring actresses, lady musicians, and randomly, Will Ferrell.”

Other highlights of the night included Drag Race legend RuPaul Charles receiving an Artist of the Millennium award, the word “Ricochet” picking up a Most Beautiful Name for a Daughter You Haven’t Even Thought of Yet prize, and Hacks’ Hannah Einbinder finally scooping up the coveted All Good Either Way Award for Bisexuality In Media accolade.

In a video shared to Facebook on Monday, Jo Frost (best known as the parenting expert and face behind the reality show Supernanny and Nanny on Tour) offered a bit of tough love to parents based on her concerns about what she’s seeing more and more with clients.

Her worry? The (unintentional) ways that parents might be keeping their kids from cultivating independence.

“I’m going to say something that might make you uncomfortable, so sit tight: We are slowly disabling our children, and I don’t say that lightly. I say that because I work with families continuously every day and I’m seeing a pattern that’s growing: children who are capable but not being taught,” she said.

Frost began to list out the symptoms of what she’s seeing via “life skills” that she believes have fallen off for many families: Children not moving and learning coordination in age-appropriate ways (via extended use of strollers or push-bikes), use of dummies well into the toddler years, kids in school who can’t brush their teeth, use a knife or fork or master how to use the bathroom, wipe and wash their hands effectively.

While Frost said she understands the pressures of modern parenting and how busy life can be for parents navigating work, life and children every day, she insists that teaching these skills to kids “isn’t about time, it’s about intention”.

She warns that every time a parent opts to kick the can down the road on these skills (because it would be time-consuming or messy or labour-intensive), she worries how that sets kids up for more of a struggle as they grow.

“In our desire to help, protect and make life easier, we can sometimes unintentionally rob our children of the opportunity to learn the very skills that build confidence, resilience and independence,” Frost wrote in the post accompanying her video. “We keep them infantile.”

“Whether it’s riding a bike and pushing down on those pedals, brushing their teeth, tying their shoes, wiping their own bottom, using a knife and fork properly, washing their own hair and brushing it, cleaning up their stuff or simply helping around the home in general, life skills aren’t optional extras, they are essential building blocks for adulthood,” she continued.

Among the most passionate respondents to the video were educators, who cited seeing similar struggles to the ones Frost describes.

One teacher warned that small things like being unable to tie their shoelaces by age 10 or 11 are “just the tip of the iceberg”.

Others warned that while these skills (from nascent emotional regulation to bathroom hygiene) were once considered a prerequisite for schooling, the situation in classrooms has changed significantly.

“Teachers are supposed to build on a foundation, not be responsible for laying the entire thing,” one user wrote.

There were even some parents – who admit to occasionally avoiding the messy, complicated lessons in the heat of the moment – who also chimed in to agree with Frost on this one.

One mum to a young grade-schooler said she “spent most of his life getting disbelieving looks in public from other parents for expecting him to do things for himself” or for encouraging him to take age-appropriate risks.

Another mum shared the requirements for her child beginning school and said she was “genuinely shocked by how low the bar has been set” for kids – when the bar is to be potty trained, able to use a knife and fork, speak in full sentences, recognise at least three letters and be able to dress and undress themselves by the age of four.

“My son is a capable, independent little boy who already has the attitude (and determination) of a teenager,” user @shropswife1 wrote. “He thrives when he’s given real responsibility and the chance to prove to himself what he can do.”

And her concerns did demonstrate some of the big-picture worries about the adults that kids raised this way can turn into with such bar-is-on-the-floor expectations: “It feels like we’re slowly raising a generation of children who are being taught that very little is expected of them – and that worries me.”

Another user, @misspennygadget also shared concerns about what kids who were taught these skills might internalise by seeing such a stark contrast between themselves and their peers: “I think about the ones that have been taught and how jarring it must be to see so many peers unable and ill-prepared, wondering why.”

If you’re wondering how it feels to be an adult who feels they were left behind by their parents’ restrictions, some of the people responding to this post had their own stories to tell.

One user, who called Frost’s assessment a “truth nuke”, shared that they had a particularly restrictive upbringing (where they weren’t allowed “near stoves” until they turned 15), noting that they feel their growth was “stunted”.

Another 31-year-old poster (@bleatingartist) named the lack of attention to this work as “neglectful”, in the case of their parents, noting that they seemed to feel that the child being both “fed and alive” was the bar for decent parenting.

Ultimately, Frost identifies the solution in parents learning to prioritise these skills and take the “slower, messier” route to accomplishing day-to-day tasks.

“Every time we step in and do it for them or avoid teaching because it’s slower, messier or inconvenient, we take away an opportunity for them to become capable,” as Frost said in her video. “And children want to feel capable.”

As Frost notes, independence isn’t something that just happens to kids. It takes foundational work, demonstration, repetition and support from parents to get a toddler out of their baby habits and into the ones that are considered developmentally appropriate for them as young children. (Lather, rinse, repeat for each age and stage that follows into adulthood.)

“We guide, we repeat, we expect,” Frost said. “Not perfectly, but consistently.”

Providing that support – and learning when it’s time to step away – is key for helping your kid grow into their confidence in the long term.

In a call to “go back to basics,” Frost advocates for what experts call “scaffolding” – where you provide more support early on when introducing a task you want a kid to eventually pull off independently and slowly remove the support when it’s not needed anymore.

“By scaffolding this support, parents can provide a high level of support initially and gradually reduce it as kids and parents feel more comfortable,” as Jill Hartrich, a child therapist and parenting coach at Foundations Therapy, previously told HuffPost. “This support helps kids build problem-solving skills so they can feel confident making smart decisions when they are without an adult.”

In the UK, tops come off at the slightest whiff of sunlight – I’ve seen people walking around shirtless when I’ve still been wearing a jacket.

But the French have said: no more.

A number of French resorts are taking a stand against summer shirtlessness by slapping offenders with fines if they don’t cover up.

According to The Times, a number of resorts – including Deauville and Narbonne – have introduced penalties for those who don’t keep their tops on in public places, on the grounds of “hygiene and decency”.

While this state of attire is perfectly acceptable for the beach, in Narbonne, people are banned from being shirtless, wearing swimwear or walking barefoot in parts of the city centre – and anyone not following this rule may face a fine of up to €150 (£130).

Deauville has also reportedly raised its fines for being shirtless from €17 (approx £15) to €150 (£130).

Other places such as Nice, Cannes, Arcachon, Les Sables-d’Olonne and La Grande-Motte have similar rules in place, per The Connexion, with varying penalties for not abiding by them.

There’s been growing discontent over half-naked tourists for a while now. Last year, the mayor of Les Sables-d’Olonne, Yannick Moreau, took to Facebook to ask for “a little decorum, please”.

He reiterated that it’s “forbidden to walk around shirtless or in a swimsuit in Les Sables-d’Olonne” – and anyone breaking the rules could be fined up to €150 (£130).

Sorrento, Portofino, Positano and Capri in Italy; Barcelona in Spain; and Albufeira in Portugal have similar rules in place so that toplessness and swimwear is reserved only for the beach.

According to the Mirror, fines for flouting the rules can reach up to €1,500 (£1,300) in Albufeira.

In 2023, the Croatian city of Split also issued a ban on wearing a bikini and/or going shirtless in the old city centre – following the lead of Dubrovnik.

To avoid being caught out, if you’re on holiday and not at the beach or pool, it’s probably best to keep your top on!