Labour's dilemma over the Clacton by-election

Nigel Farage's resignation as Clacton MP triggers an August by-election in Andy Burnham's first month as Prime Minister. Reform UK is pressing Labour to field a candidate—framing it as a test of the new government. If Labour stands aside, as parties did for David Davis in 2008, it risks backing Farage's anti-establishment message. Standing firm risks making the contest a referendum on Burnham's early weeks.