Reform Mayor Luke Campbell Said to Be on “Defection Watch”

Hull and East Yorkshire Mayor Luke Campbell, a former Olympic boxing champion and one of Reform UK’s two metro mayors, is reported to be the subject of speculation that he may leave Reform for the Labour Party. Sources close to the situation claim that Labour leader Andy Burnham is actively seeking to persuade Campbell, who comes from a Labour-supporting family and is the son of a miner. The rumours intensified after Burnham became Prime Minister and after Campbell praised Burnham during the recent Makerfield by-election.

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Reform UK, a right-leaning party led by Nigel Farage, secured two metro mayoralties in the 2024 elections, with Campbell winning the Hull and East Yorkshire combined authority. Campbell’s public admiration for Burnham, expressed at the Makerfield by-election, was noted as unusual by Reform insiders, who said the party’s senior figures were displeased with his comments. The speculation emerges amid ongoing challenges for Reform, including Farage’s declining political fortunes.

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Campbell told The i Paper that he has had no discussions with any other party about defection and affirmed his identity as “a Reform mayor,” denying the rumours. Downing Street declined to comment when approached. Both the Labour Party and Reform UK were also contacted for comment but did not provide statements.

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If Campbell were to shift allegiance, Reform UK would lose one of only two metro mayors, potentially weakening its regional influence. Conversely, Labour could gain a high-profile figure with a strong local profile, bolstering its presence in the North. The outcome remains uncertain, with both parties maintaining a cautious public stance.

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