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Burnham Leads Tight Makerfield Race as Farage-Backed Kenyon Splits Vote

6/11/2026

35 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Robert Kenyon, backed by Nigel Farage, has turned the Makerfield by-election into a tight two-horse race against Andy Burnham.
Andy Burnham has knocked on every door twice and is promoting cheaper bus fares and re-industrialisation.
Robert Kenyon is opposing green-belt housing developments and using the slogan “Britain is broken.”
Polls show Restore Britain is attracting about 7% of the vote and could split the Reform UK base, aiding Andy Burnham.

History

Historical Context

The 2015 general election saw UKIP capture 12.7% of the vote and win Clacton, signalling a surge in Eurosceptic support under Nigel Farage. That momentum resurfaces in the Makerfield by-election, where Farage-backed Robert Kenyon challenges Labour’s Andy Burnham, echoing the party-splinter impact first evident in 2014-15, mirroring the 2014 by-wins that gave UKIP its sole MP.

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Story summary

Robert Kenyon, backed by Nigel Farage, has turned the Makerfield by-election into a tight two-horse race against Andy Burnham.
Andy Burnham has knocked on every door twice and is promoting cheaper bus fares and re-industrialisation.
Robert Kenyon is opposing green-belt housing developments and using the slogan “Britain is broken.”
Polls show Restore Britain is attracting about 7% of the vote and could split the Reform UK base, aiding Andy Burnham.

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