By-election held today in test for Rishi Sunak - but many voters unbothered

Voters will head to the polls in Stretford and Urmston, Greater Manchester, today after Kate Green resigned last month - Labor is expected to hold a majority

This is Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's second test at the polls (

Image: Getty Images)

Voters will head to the polls in Stretford and Urmston today in a by-election triggered by the resignation of Kate Green from Labour.

The former frontbencher officially resigned as an MP last month to become Andy Burnham's Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester.

But with freezing temperatures, soaring energy and food prices, and nationwide strikes — including a historic walkout by nurses — many voters don't care.

"I'm not bothered by all this homie," a man walking by the entrance to the Stretford Mall told the Manchester Evening News.

Another said: "I don't like to think about politics too much at the minute because it just makes me depressed. People really struggle to make ends meet.

Kate Green retained the seat with a 60% majority in 2019 after being first elected in 2010 (

Picture:

Manchester Evening News)

"I wish people could get on with their lives without having to go to food banks just to make ends meet. That's the main issue for the government."

There are nine candidates vying to succeed Ms. Green. Labor is expected to take the seat - its candidate, Trafford Council leader Andrew Western, is the favourite.

Ms Green, a former shadow education secretary, retained the constituency with more than 60% of the vote - a majority of 16,417 - in 2019 after being first elected in 2010.

The Conservatives came second in the last vote, with the Liberal Democrats third.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. and closed at 10 p.m., with the result expected in the early hours of Friday morning.

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