Story perspectives

Burnham vs Reform Candidate Spark Tactical Makerfield Race

6/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

Makerfield voters plan to hold their noses and vote tactically in the June 18, 2026 by-election.
Polls give Andy Burnham, Labour’s Mayor of Greater Manchester, 43 % and Robert Kenyon, Reform Party candidate, 40 %, with Rebecca Shepherd, Restore Britain candidate, 7 % and the Greens, 3 %.
Local elections gave Reform Party 50 % of Makerfield, up from Labour’s 24 %.
Kenyon’s prior social-media remarks on abortion and gender have unsettled women voters.

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Story summary

Makerfield voters plan to hold their noses and vote tactically in the June 18, 2026 by-election.
Polls give Andy Burnham, Labour’s Mayor of Greater Manchester, 43 % and Robert Kenyon, Reform Party candidate, 40 %, with Rebecca Shepherd, Restore Britain candidate, 7 % and the Greens, 3 %.
Local elections gave Reform Party 50 % of Makerfield, up from Labour’s 24 %.
Kenyon’s prior social-media remarks on abortion and gender have unsettled women voters.