By-Electioncast: Chris Reports Back From Makerfield

<p>Today, Chris tells Adam what it was like meeting Robert Kenyon, the Reform UK candidate in the Makerfield by-election and how he and Andy Burnham, the Labour candidate have responded to challenges about their track records on different key issues.</p><p>They discuss the ongoing reaction to some of Robert Kenyon’s previous comments about women and whether Andy Burnham’s campaign message of “Change Labour. Keep The Faith” is cutting through with voters.</p><p>Plus how have the Conservative, Lib Dem and Green party candidates faired in the Radio Manchester hot seat?</p><p>They’re joined by Sarah Lester from the Manchester Evening News and Kevin Fitzpatrick, political reporter for BBC Radio Manchester.</p><p>A full list of candidates and loads more information about the Makerfield by-election is available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgrp1z8n4w2o</p><p>You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord</p><p>Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.</p><p>New episodes are released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. </p><p>The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Anna Harris with Gabriel Purcell-Davis and Shiler Mahmoudi. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Stephen Bailey. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.</p>