Burnham wins Makerfield byelection with broad voter coalition
6 reported
Andy Burnham secured a landslide byelection victory in Makerfield, returning to Westminster after nine years as Greater Manchester mayor, according to a report by The Guardian. The victory was built on a coalition of voters from the left, centre, and right, not just Labour loyalists. Burnham won with a majority of 9,231 votes over Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon, with Labour taking 55% of the vote to Reform’s 35%. Turnout was 59%, with 45,510 votes cast. The Liberal Democrats and Green party ran subdued campaigns, and the rightwing vote was split between Reform UK and Restore Britain. Some voters who previously supported Reform or the Greens said they backed Burnham to stop the right. The report is based on a single source and has not been cross-referenced.
What’s reported
Andy Burnham won the Makerfield byelection with a majority of 9,231 votes over Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon.
Labour received 55% of the vote, Reform UK 35%, and Restore Britain 7%.
Turnout was 59%, up six percentage points from the general election, with 45,510 votes cast.
The Liberal Democrats and Green party ran subdued campaigns, and the rightwing vote was divided between Reform UK and Restore Britain.
Pollster Peter Kellner noted that Liberal Democrat and Green candidates won 11% of the vote two years ago but only 1% in this byelection.
Some voters who previously supported Reform or the Greens said they voted for Burnham to prevent a Reform win.
Key figures
Andy Burnham, Labour candidate and Greater Manchester mayor
Robert Kenyon, Reform UK candidate
Peter Kellner, veteran pollster
Mal, 64, former social worker and Green supporter
Peta, 48, Green supporter
Barb, 64, Green supporter
Joseph, 50, heavy goods driver and former Reform voter
Ellen, 63, voter
Amber, 37, Green voter
Sarah Wakefield, Green candidate
Sources: The Guardian
