Andy Burnham wins Makerfield by-election as Reform suffers ‘worst night since General Election’

Andy Burnham has won the crucial Makerfield by-election as Reform suffered in the words of one pollster ‘it’s worst night since the general election’.

Burnham secured a resounding victory in the constituency in what was dubbed the most consequential by-election in British political history, given that he has made clear his intention to challenge Keir Starmer for the leadership.

Burnham secured 24,937 votes, while Reform came second on 15,696. Rupert Lowe’s Restore came third on 3,111, while the Tories achieved  997 votes.

What makes Burnham’s victory even more resounding is that Reform won 51% of the vote in the local elections in Makerfield just over a month ago. Burnham has achieved a 23pt swing from Reform to Labour since May local elections.

He not only doubled the Labour majority enjoyed by his predecessor, with 54% of the vote, the mayor of Greater Manchester finished about 20 percentage points ahead of Reform, and, crucially, gained comfortably more votes than Reform and Restore Britain combined.

Pollster Luke Tryl said that Reform had suffered their “worst night since the general election’

He added: “Barely any increase in their vote share in Makerfield. 20pt Labour win in a seat that was one of their best second places in 2024.

“2) Tories show proof of life and even momentum in battle for the right with Aberdeen South win

“3) Restore Britain take 7%, replicated elsewhere in fragmented politics Reform’s path to govt becomes very very hard.”

Basit Mahmood is editor of Left Foot Forward