Full Breakdown
Makerfield By-Election: Labour’s Grip Tested Amid Flooding, Immigration Concerns and Multi-Party Challenge
5/31/2026, 11:55:55 PM
Makerfield By-Election: Stakes and Candidates
The Makerfield parliamentary seat, a Labour stronghold since the early 1900s, will hold a by-election after MP Josh Simons retired. Candidates include Labour’s Robert Kenyon, former Manchester mayor Andy Burnham (standing for Labour), Reform UK, Restore Britain and the Green Party.
Background & Context
Severe flooding in early 2025 displaced residents for months and left a 25,000-tonne illegal waste dump in Bickershaw. No Metrolink tram service makes Manchester trips up to an hour, fueling voter perception of Labour neglect.
Key Figures & Groups
Robert Kenyon (Labour) – former railway worker and trade unionist; past online posts include “I’m sexist, sorry but I am.”
Andy Burnham (Labour) – Manchester mayor and former MP for Leigh, promoted as relatable.
Reform UK – proposes scrapping net-zero targets and ending renewable subsidies.
Restore Britain (Rupert Lowe) – focuses on broader economic issues.
Sarah Wakefield (Green) – campaigns on environmental policies.
Data & Statistics
Survation polling shows Reform UK at 7 % (third place) and a narrow lead for Andy Burnham over Robert Kenyon. Flooding forced families like the Bilskis in Abram to live upstairs for months, reducing property values. The high street now hosts mainly vape shops and barbers, replacing former retailers.
Official Statements & Responses
Labour stresses Burnham’s mayoral record and his appeal to working-class voters. Reform UK argues that ending net-zero and renewable subsidies will revive the economy. Restore Britain highlights broader economic concerns, presenting itself as distinct from Labour and Reform. The Green Party, via Sarah Wakefield, says its campaign focuses solely on environmental policies.
Criticism & Opposition
Kenyon’s past online remarks have drawn local criticism. Residents like Stefan Bilski claim Labour “has not done enough about flooding,” while Hindley resident Zoe says “everybody’s struggling, the prices are going up, nothing’s being done.” Reform UK’s climate stance is seen by some as irrelevant to flood relief.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don’t think Labour have done enough [about flooding].” — Stefan Bilski, roofer, Abram
- “I’m sexist, sorry but I am” — Robert Kenyon, Labour candidate (past online post)
- “Everybody’s struggling, the prices are going up, nothing’s being done about it,” — Zoe, Hindley resident
- “I’d say that the Green party did not call this byelection, Labour chose to call this byelection, Andy Burnham has chosen to stand in this byelection, and it’s his job to make the case for why he should be the representative of these people,” — Sarah Wakefield, Green candidate
What's Next
The by-election is scheduled for early July 2026. Paul Houghton’s statement that Burnham’s record as mayor is prompting a return to Labour illustrates the candidate’s impact. A Reform or Restore Britain victory would end a century-long Labour hold, while a strong Green showing could split the anti-Labour vote and aid Labour’s retention.
