Arabic version: أندي بيرنهام يحقق انتصارًا في انتخابات ماكر فيلد الفرعية
Andy Burnham’s recent victory in the Makerfield by-election marks a significant personal achievement for the Labour politician. This success comes in stark contrast to previous Labour performances in by-elections, where the party’s support had plummeted in recent months. According to BBC News, Labour’s vote fell by 14 points in the Runcorn by-election last year and dropped by 25 points in Gorton & Denton just four months ago.
In Makerfield, Burnham not only retained the 45% share of the vote that Labour secured in the seat during the 2024 elections but also increased it by 10 points. With Labour currently polling at just 19% nationally, this turnaround is notable, especially as the party struggled in other by-elections held simultaneously in Scotland, where it experienced significant vote declines.
Burnham’s success can be attributed to two main factors. Firstly, he successfully convinced many previous Labour voters to return, with polls indicating that four out of five who backed Labour in 2024 supported Burnham in the recent election. Secondly, Burnham benefited from a significant drop in support for the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and Greens, who collectively captured only 3% of the votes, a decrease of 19 points from 2024.
The election results are particularly disappointing for Nigel Farage’s Reform party, which failed to capitalize on its pro-Brexit stance in a region where a large majority voted Leave. Meanwhile, the emergence of a new political contender, Restore Britain, which advocates for a stricter immigration policy, adds another layer of complexity to the political landscape.
The implications of these by-elections extend beyond local victories, potentially challenging the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer and putting the government’s energy policies under scrutiny. The political ramifications of Burnham’s win in Makerfield and the Scottish Conservatives’ gains are expected to resonate throughout Westminster for the foreseeable future.
