Labour Mayor Andy Burnham Scrambles to Defend Party Stronghold in Makerfield By-Election Amid Reform UK Surge
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Around 75,000 voters in Makerfield will choose a new MP on June 18, as Labour’s Andy Burnham faces a serious challenge from Reform UK’s Rob Kenyon in a race that could shake up the party’s leadership.
Voters in the Makerfield constituency of northwest England will go to the polls on June 18 in a by-election that could have significant national implications. Labour’s Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester and a career politician, is seeking the seat after the resignation of MP Josh Simons. He faces a strong challenge from Reform UK’s Rob Kenyon, a local plumber and councilor, who represents the growing movement against out-of-touch elites and failed Labour policies.
Makerfield has been a Labour stronghold for more than a century, but the tide is turning as Reform UK—under the bold leadership of Nigel Farage—swept 24 of 25 council seats in the recent local elections. This contest comes at a time of intense public debate over unchecked immigration, with many residents rightly concerned about the strain on housing and public services caused by Labour’s open-door policies.
Burnham, who has served as Greater Manchester mayor since 2017 and previously held parliamentary and ministerial roles, admits that voters are “fed up” and acknowledges the Reform vote as “a cry for real change.” However, his promises ring hollow after years of Labour neglect and virtue-signaling. Burnham claims he “will take the fight for the changes I want to see in politics as far as I can take it,” but offers little substance, while refusing to acknowledge the failures of his own party.
Reform’s Kenyon, who finished second in the constituency at the 2024 general election, has faced attacks over past social-media comments—typical of the smear tactics used by Labour to silence dissent. The by-election is being watched closely, as a Labour win could embolden Burnham to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is already under fire after disastrous local election results and growing calls for his resignation.
Local issues such as shop closures, potholes, and petty crime—problems that have festered under Labour’s watch—are also influencing the campaign. The result will determine who represents Makerfield in Parliament and could signal a major shift away from Labour’s complacency and toward real representation for ordinary people.