Makerfield by election

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Labour have announced their candidate in Andy Burnham - here

Reform have announced their candidate in Standartenfürher Robert Kenyon - here

This really will be a bellwether for the nation, as its a high profile candidate for Labour who generally has the support of those right across Greater M/cr, against a candidate of a party that recently swept away Labour in the local elections.

Will Makerfield go for Burnham allowing him to challenge Starmer and Streeting, or do they stick with Reform and turn their back on Labour once and for all?

[Eric Cartman]

Re: Makerfield by election

Labour have announced their candidate in Andy Burnham - here

Reform have announced their candidate in Standartenfürher Robert Kenyon - here

This really will be a bellwether for the nation, as its a high profile candidate for Labour who generally has the support of those right across Greater M/cr, against a candidate of a party that recently swept away Labour in the local elections.

Will Makerfield go for Burnham allowing him to challenge Starmer and Streeting, or do they stick with Reform and turn their back on Labour once and for all?

Betfair market currently has labour 1.6, reform 3.2. Given the recent reform success in 2016 leave seats this feels a bit short for labour but obviously there are so many factors that you need to throw in the pot for this one that don't apply at the locals.

It definitely will give an idea of how well 2016 leave support transfers to an important election as Burnham is probably the best/most liked candidate labour could put forward for the area.

'Once and for all' is probably a bit strong, reform has only existed for a few years, politics moves far faster these days.

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Re: Makerfield by election

'Once and for all' is probably a bit strong, reform has only existed for a few years, politics moves far faster these days.

you're probably right, but it does seem as if UK politics is at a cross roads...today more than 60 Labour MPs have called for reform of the UK voting system - here - whereas this was unthinkable a few years ago. It does appear to me as if Labour realise that the left wing vote (Labour, Plaid, SNP, Greens, Libdems) is split significantly more than the right wing vote (Tories, Reform) and as such in future elections they may come second an awful lot, have a healthy share of the vote, but return few MPs under the current FPTP.

[jon1959]

Re: Makerfield by election

It is not clear yet whether this will be a straight two way fight between Labour and Reform - or if the field will be more crowded.

The Greens are arguing internally about whether to stand. The Tories have implied they will not. I haven't heard what the big thinkers in the Lib Dems want to do. Restore (the Rupert Lowe splinter party) have suggested they will stand and take votes out of Reform. The Monster Raving Loonies are still to reveal their hand.

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Re: Makerfield by election

It is not clear yet whether this will be a straight two way fight between Labour and Reform - or if the field will be more crowded.

The Greens are arguing internally about whether to stand. The Tories have implied they will not. I haven't heard what the big thinkers in the Lib Dems want to do. Restore (the Rupert Lowe splinter party) have suggested they will stand and take votes out of Reform. The Monster Raving Loonies are still to reveal their hand.

any news from Lord Buckethead?

As for Restore....I'd be surprised if they returned their deposit. Interesting the Tories aren't fielding a candidate - tacit acceptance that they are no longer the automatic party on the right perhaps?

[JamesWales]

Re: Makerfield by election

I think the Greens will field a candidate and the Tories will too, bit of a joke if either of those don't really, and it undermines their claims to be serious parties.

I think Burnham will win, but it will be bruising and I think it will say more about him than Labour really. The Reform guy is a local working class bloke etc so scores highly in that respect, but that's hardly a weakness for Burnham, who also scores pretty highly in that respect and also comes with experience, importance Yadda yadda.

What will hold him back is if it looks in any way like a coronation or if it gets too mud-slingy.

[Wales-Bales]

Re: Makerfield by election

any news from Lord Buckethead?

As for Restore....I'd be surprised if they returned their deposit. Interesting the Tories aren't fielding a candidate - tacit acceptance that they are no longer the automatic party on the right perhaps?

I think they are strategizing for the new Labour leader to be anyone who is not named Burnham.

[jon1959]

Re: Makerfield by election

Greens and Tories have both selected candidates - but may not campaign much!

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/may/21/greens-select-nurse-chris-kennedy-makerfield-byelection-candidate

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Re: Makerfield by election

Greens and Tories have both selected candidates - but may not campaign much!

https://www.theguardian.com/politics...tion-candidate

An interesting approach by the Greens. do they go full tilt and try and secure the seat themselves, or do they sit back and indirectly support Burham to stop Reform....

I'm in two minds about tactical voting....I can see why you would want to stop a party - the enemy of my enemy etc - but I also think that you have to be true to your own beliefs and campaign for what you believe in

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Makerfield by election

https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2026-05-20/labour-could-beat-reform-in-general-election-if-led-by-andy-burnham-polls-say

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Re: Makerfield by election

interesting article, it all depends on who was polled and where they live. Polling people in M/cr might illicit a different response from those polled in Kent.

interesting times

[ninian opinian]

Re: Makerfield by election

Well surprise, surprise, Reform have put forward another wrong un https://x.com/hopenothate/status/205...LTsVTx09ZSEfIA

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: Makerfield by election

No 'Your Party' candidate then?

I'm no fan of them myself but I am cybersquatting on a website domain that I purchased that contains the party name thay they subsequently settled on.

[Feedback]

Re: Makerfield by election

Well surprise, surprise, Reform have put forward another wrong un https://x.com/hopenothate/status/205...LTsVTx09ZSEfIA

I refuse to knowingly partake in anything that Elon Musk is involved in, so what does that particular echo chamber that is X have to say about Stürmbahnfürher Kenyon?

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Makerfield by election

No 'Your Party' candidate then?

I'm no fan of them myself but I am cybersquatting on a website domain that I purchased that contains the party name thay they subsequently settled on.

Christ I thought they had folded ?

The Greens are bad enough

Hopefully the lib dems wont bother either then we can all try and form a middle ground alliance at the next election to snuff out reform