Makerfield By-Election Poll Shows Strong Voter Preference for Economic Reform and Social Media Accountability

A parliamentary by-election for the Makerfield constituency in Greater Manchester is set for 18 June 2026 after the incumbent Labour MP Josh Simons stepped down. Labour’s Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, is contesting the seat for his party, while Reform UK’s candidate, Robert Kenyon, also appears on the ballot. The poll was commissioned by the campaign group 38 Degrees and carried out by Survation.

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• Social-media conduct: 55 % of 518 respondents said they would be less likely to vote for a politician who posted offensive material online; 31 % said it would not affect their vote, and 14 % were unsure.

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• Economic reforms: 73 % favoured returning water companies to public ownership; 54 % supported a wealth tax on assets above £10 million; just over 50 % endorsed caps on political donations, while 38 % preferred no limits.

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• Employment rights: 72 % wanted a minimum-wage level that covers the cost of living; 57 % backed guaranteed sick pay from day one; two-thirds supported paid bereavement leave after pregnancy loss before 24 weeks; 47 % favoured keeping the ban on “fire-and-rehire” practices; 42 % wanted it removed.

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Survation’s chief executive said voters hold strong views on economic fairness and accountability, calling support for water renationalisation, a wealth tax and donation caps mainstream; 38 Degrees’ campaigns director called the constituency a “microcosm” of national sentiment; Andy Burnham’s campaign highlighted Labour’s record on public-service investment.

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Kenyon’s past posts—calling himself “sexist, sorry but I am,” using the slur “poofs,” and suggesting women have abortions to “shag anyone they want”—prompted broadcaster Caroline Vorderman to label them “disgusting” and demand an apology.

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• “I’m sexist, sorry but I am,” — Robert Kenyon, former social-media post

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• “disgusting comments” — Caroline Vorderman, broadcaster

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• “Voters in Makerfield hold strong views on economic fairness and accountability, and those views cut across traditional party lines. The breadth of support for water renationalisation, a wealth tax and donation caps indicates that these are not fringe positions but mainstream concerns.” — Damian Lyons Lowe, Survation chief executive

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• “They are crying out for change and back big, bold moves to make our country fairer, build better public services and ease the cost of living for us all.” — Veronica Hawking, 38 Degrees campaigns director

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The poll’s reliability score of 40.31 and its 518-person sample may limit confidence; no other polling data is cited.

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The 18 June 2026 by-election will test whether the poll’s policy preferences translate into votes. Parties may adjust messages on water ownership, wealth taxation and social-media conduct.

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