Makerfield byelection polls close as Burnham seeks return to Westminster
13 reported
Polls have closed in the Makerfield, Aberdeen South, and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry byelections, with the result in the north-west of England constituency poised to decide the future of UK politics, according to a single-source report. The approximately 70,000 voters in Makerfield, a constituency outside Wigan, have been at the center of British politics after Andy Burnham quit as mayor of Greater Manchester to contest the seat. The race between Labour’s Burnham and Reform’s Robert Kenyon has been tight, with estimates that up to 3,000 Labour campaigners arrived in Makerfield in recent days. The byelection began on 14 May after MP Josh Simons announced he would stand down to allow the former cabinet minister to return to Westminster to challenge Keir Starmer, following Labour’s local election results. Makerfield has traditionally been a safe Labour seat but has leaned toward Reform in recent years, with Reform taking 50.4% of the vote in the eight Makerfield wards that voted in local elections. Constituency polls ahead of voting gave Burnham between a three- and 12-percentage point lead over Kenyon, while the hard-right Restore Britain party is predicted to win about 7% of the vote.
What’s reported
Polls closed in Makerfield, Aberdeen South, and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry byelections.
Andy Burnham quit as mayor of Greater Manchester to contest Makerfield.
The constituency has approximately 70,000 voters.
Up to 3,000 Labour campaigners arrived in Makerfield in recent days.
The byelection started on 14 May after MP Josh Simons stood down.
Reform’s Robert Kenyon faced headwinds from past social media posts, including comments about Carol Vorderman.
In the last general election, Simons won with 45.2% of the vote and a majority of 5,399; Reform increased its vote share by 18%.
Constituency polls gave Burnham a three- to 12-percentage point lead over Kenyon.
Restore Britain, led by Rupert Lowe and launched four months ago, is predicted to win about 7% of the vote.
Starmer suggested he would offer Burnham a “big” job in his government.
Burnham’s allies said he was not interested in the offer and have had to talk ministers out of resigning this weekend.
Starmer has said he has no intention of standing down.
In Aberdeen South, the contest focused on North Sea oil and gas; the SNP is confident it will hold Arbroath and Broughty Ferry.
Key figures
Andy Burnham, former mayor of Greater Manchester and Labour candidate for Makerfield
Robert Kenyon, Reform candidate for Makerfield
Josh Simons, former MP for Makerfield
Keir Starmer, prime minister and Labour leader
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform
Rupert Lowe, leader of Restore Britain
Carol Vorderman, referenced in social media posts
Sources: The Guardian
