Pro-EU campaigners are contesting the Makerfield by-election and have secured enough petition signatures to force a Parliamentary debate on rejoining the European Union.

Barrister Peter Ward will stand for the Rejoin EU Party in the June 18 Makerfield by-election, where Labour Mayor Andy Burnham and Reform UK's Robert Kenyon are also candidates, as campaigner Robert McMaster's petition to rejoin the EU passed 100,000 signatures, triggering consideration for Parliamentary debate, with YouGov polling showing 56% of Britons support rejoining.