Story perspectives

Burnham Leads Makerfield Poll, Outspends Kenyon on Local Ads

6/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

Times poll shows Labour’s Andy Burnham leads Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by five points ahead of the Makerfield by-election on 18 June 2026.
Burnham has spent about £8,000 on Meta ads promoting link roads, a pharmacy, a doctors’ surgery and a library refurbishment.
Kenyon, a 41-year-old plumber and councilor, faces criticism for sexist and anti-vaccine posts and competition from Restore party.
Residents complain about cost-of-living pressures, immigration and feeling ignored by national politics.

History

Historical Context

On 6 May 2010 the United Kingdom held a general election to fill all 650 Commons seats, producing a hung parliament that led David Cameron’s Conservatives to form a coalition with Nick Clegg’s Liberal Democrats. The coalition’s austerity agenda sparked lasting voter discontent, a backdrop for today’s Makerfield by-election where Labour’s Andy Burnham faces Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon.

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Story summary

Times poll shows Labour’s Andy Burnham leads Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by five points ahead of the Makerfield by-election on 18 June 2026.
Burnham has spent about £8,000 on Meta ads promoting link roads, a pharmacy, a doctors’ surgery and a library refurbishment.
Kenyon, a 41-year-old plumber and councilor, faces criticism for sexist and anti-vaccine posts and competition from Restore party.
Residents complain about cost-of-living pressures, immigration and feeling ignored by national politics.

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