Many voters in Makerfield spoke of having split loyalties ahead of a by-election that could prove pivotal to the future of the country
party in last week’s elections for Wigan Council where Reform swept up 24 of the 25 seats up for grabs. Given Reform also has a comfortable lead over Labour in national polling it would suggest the party is in a strong position to win the upcoming by-election in Makerfield.
But Carter said he believes he is one of many voters who will give Burnham a fair hearing, at the very least.
“I’m not voting for a person, I’m voting for policies – it’s what they will do for the area. Makerfield MP Josh Simons resigned earlier this week to pave the way for Burnham’s potential return to Westminster they are usually “opposite” politically.
“I think it’s the right thing to do for the good of the country. He’s well-known round here. We see him running up around Three Sisters , I think he will do something favourable for our area. ”Polling carried out by Ipsos in September last year found only 13 per cent of voters were satisfied with him.
It improved marginally at the start of 2026 but Gideon Skinner, senior director of UK politics at Ipsos, said satisfaction with the Prime Minister “remains historically low”. Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham outside his house in Warrington after announcing he will stand in the Makerfield by-election Meanwhile, Burnham remains the most popular Labour figure with both the public and Labour members, according to YouGov.
Burnham’s net favourability score of +41 among Labour voters vastly outstrips that of other contenders, far ahead of Angela Rayner , Yvette Cooper and Ed Miliband . Andrew Cobb, 78, is another Makerfield voter who backed Reform in the local elections but said he would be switching to Burnham for the by-election.
“The last time I voted Reform in the councils. But this time I will vote for Andy, he’s a Northerner. ”
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