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Burnham Wins Makerfield; Tactical Voting Aims to Block Reform

6/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

Andy Burnham won Makerfield by-election with 55 % of the vote, beating Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by over 9,000 votes.
Experts say coordinated tactical voting by progressives could block Reform UK in the next election, noting YouGov polling shows left-wing voters are more likely to vote tactically.
Savanta research indicates Reform supporters are unlikely to switch, prompting Neal Lawson and former Green co-leader Jonathan Bartley to call for local non-aggression pacts.

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Story summary

Andy Burnham won Makerfield by-election with 55 % of the vote, beating Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by over 9,000 votes.
Experts say coordinated tactical voting by progressives could block Reform UK in the next election, noting YouGov polling shows left-wing voters are more likely to vote tactically.
Savanta research indicates Reform supporters are unlikely to switch, prompting Neal Lawson and former Green co-leader Jonathan Bartley to call for local non-aggression pacts.