Burnham’s Makerfield byelection campaign draws large Labour support
8 reported1 unconfirmed
According to a single-source report from The Guardian, Labour candidate Andy Burnham's campaign for the Makerfield byelection has drawn significant support from Labour MPs and activists, with 20 MPs daily canvassing in the constituency. The seat, which some close friends advised Burnham to decline, now appears winnable based on polling. Campaign organizers are targeting roughly 16% of undecided voters who remain torn between Labour and Reform UK. At the weekend, 450 volunteers canvassed, and by the end of the coming week, Labour activists will have knocked on every door in the constituency five times. The campaign has replaced the "boys' club" power brokers of Starmer's leadership with a group of female operators including Louise Haigh and Anneliese Midgley. Reform UK has established a strong visual presence with boards along major roads, while Restore Britain is also making significant inroads. Some MPs view Burnham's return to Westminster as a foregone conclusion, though campaign insiders are hesitant to look beyond election day.
What’s reported
The byelection is in the Makerfield constituency, centered on Ashton-in-Makerfield and Orrell.
20 MPs are canvassing daily for Burnham, with 450 volunteers at the weekend.
Campaign targets roughly 16% of undecided voters between Labour and Reform.
Reform UK boards went up faster than Labour's after the announcement.
Restore Britain could end up with more than 10% of the vote, according to Labour canvassers.
No Labour attack literature against Reform or Restore is being used.
Voters expressed no good word about Keir Starmer during four hours of door-knocking.
The area had about 7% support for the British National party as recently as 2010.
Open questions
The exact date of the byelection is not specified in the article, though it refers to "next Thursday" as election day.
Key figures
Andy Burnham, Labour candidate for Makerfield
Keir Starmer, Labour leader
John Healey, former defence secretary (resigned Thursday)
Josh Simons, offered Burnham the seat
Louise Haigh, former transport secretary and Burnham confidante
Anneliese Midgley, MP for Knowsley and campaign organizer
Sally Jameson, Doncaster MP
Rupert Lowe, leader of Restore Britain
Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader
Sources: The Guardian
