The sartorial choices of politicians and their spouses perhaps mean more than they should. Sir Keir Starmer has mastered the 'centrist dad' look with his bomber jackets and Adidas Gazelles, but has it done anything for his image? Feeling the pressure of the public eye, Samantha Cameron famously employed the styling of Isabel Spearman. And Rishi Sunak was forced to issue a fulsome apology to the Adidas 'Samba community' after they accused him of ruining the look when he wore a box fresh pair during an interview.
So it has been interesting to see the great and good of UK politics all togged out in Makerfield today, on byelection polling day. Reform UK's candidate Rob Kenyon turned up to vote wearing a replica England football top. After all, he's a normal bloke, as he has repeatedly told us. The party's 'white van man' posted an image of himself on X behind the wheel with Nigel Farage alongside a caption that read: 'Just arrived to cast my vote in the by-election. Something Andy Burnham cannot do.'
His cheerleader Farage has turned up to the constituency wearing Michael Portillo style trousers and an undone double-breasted jacket. It's a look that quickly reminded me of David Byrne's Very Big Suit and I half expected Farage to croon: 'You may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile' in Mr Kenyon's direction.
Restore Britain's Rupert Lowe is also in the constituency today and was pictured with his party's candidate Rebecca Shepherd - who has so far eluded the M.E.N. Mr Lowe was wearing a light beige suit akin to that of a foreign correspondent and a pink tie patterned with tiny sharks when he was mobbed by press opposite Labour's campaign headquarters.
Labour's Andy Burnham meanwhile says he is in his 'Sunday best' for polling day - which translates to a navy blue cardigan, white shirt and what looks like a pair of Clark's Wallabees. It's a signature everyman look for the mayor on what may turn out to be the most important day of his political career so far.
Of course Mr Burnham's fashion choices have been the subject of several column inches. Not least in this newsletter where we like to keep an eye on his penchant for Adidas footwear. The mayor's jackets have been a particular point of focus, with Vogue once describing the jacket he wore during his famous Bridgewater Hall press conference as 'an Orwellian Proletariat jacket in a deep navy hue, akin to garments worn by Winston in 1984.' It later ended up in the People's History Museum, with Mr Burnham telling The Guardian he had wanted to wear a raincoat instead. But he was dissuaded by his wife who said 'they'll think you're sponsored by North Face'.
Competing with the candidates for the best dressed man in Makerfield are former Speaker of the House John Bercow, who has turned up to support Mr Burnham while sporting a blue golfing shirt. And actor Hugh Grant, who appeared at Stubshaw Cross Club last night in a white shirt and shades while Mr Burnham was addressing his supporters. But none of them cuts a dash quite like Count Binface. He is said to be on his way to Makerfield from his home planet of Sigma IX just in time for tonight's election count. He's posted a picture on X ahead of his appearance wearing his usual regal cape, silver and black armour and, obviously, a bin. He might not win the byelection, but he's won the style wars.
Of course by this time tomorrow we will not only know the result of the byelection, we will also know how much of a fight the current Prime Minister has on his hands to stay in post. Andy Burnham has ended his campaign by corralling a huge swathe of northern Labour MPs, including former deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner and current deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell, to Makerfield.
My colleague Rob Williams yesterday revealed that Mr Burnham has ruled out taking a job in Keir Starmer's government if he wins Makerfield. The Prime Minister said he wants the Greater Manchester mayor to 'play a big part' in the Labour Government. But a senior source told the M.E.N. 'the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government's failings'. Earlier this week a source told us Starmer could 'go out in a bloody mess and get battered, which is embarrassing, or he can take the dignified route through legacy'.
'If Restore weren't standing we would feel more comfortable,' said one Reform UK campaign source. 'The undecideds are going to swing it. No one is taking this election for granted.' According to Reform insiders, many Restore supporters are relatively disengaged from politics and can be persuaded that Nigel Farage's party is better placed to defeat Labour. 'One in every two Restore doors we've knocked on, as soon as we told them we stand on a similar policy platform but we've got a better chance of winning, they fold,' a campaigner said.
But Reform activists insist the contest remains on a knife edge. Our Politics Writer Iram Ramzan has been looking at the machinations at Reform HQ and has filed this fascinating report. For weeks, Restore has sparked curiosity. The party has attempted to establish itself as a challenger to Reform UK in one of the most hotly contested byelections in British history. Rupert Lowe's party is polling third, but the party's candidate has remained largely out of sight. Here at the M.E.N, we've been trying to contact Restore for several weeks to request a sit down interview with their candidate Rebecca Shepherd - and to invite her to our hustings event. We haven't had much luck. Iram Ramzan explains why here.
As we speak, my colleagues Iram Ramzan, Paul Britton and John Scheerhout are, presumably, enjoying a tactical lie down before heading to the election count this evening. Our three roving reporters will be bringing you all the latest from what promises to be a genuinely exciting count throughout the night. You can follow all the results as they are announced on our live byelection blog here. In the meantime, I'll leave you with today's Manchester Evening News front page which has a clear message. To the people of Makerfield - it's all down to you.
