Reform UK's Makerfield By-Election Result Analyzed by Farage
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has voiced his dissatisfaction with the party's outcome in the recent Makerfield by-election. He largely attributed the defeat to a prevailing sentiment among voters to oust Sir Keir Starmer from Downing Street, suggesting this motivated the strong support for Labour's candidate, Andy Burnham.
Burnham secured a significant victory, finishing over 9,000 votes ahead of Reform UK's Rob Kenyon. Farage claimed that public frustration with the current prime minister fueled Burnham's success. He also acknowledged that Reform UK lost votes to the newly formed Restore Britain party, founded by former Reform MP Rupert Lowe, which surprisingly came in third.
Impact of Anti-Starmer Votes and Rival Parties
Farage stated that the second-place finish was 'disappointing,' noting that Burnham's vote share was unexpectedly high. He compared Burnham's local popularity to that of former London Mayor Boris Johnson, but ultimately concluded, "what really happened here is it was 'vote Burnham, get Starmer out'." Farage admitted that Reform UK was "slightly hoist with our own petard," having previously framed earlier elections as an opportunity to challenge Starmer's government.
He expressed particular frustration with Restore Britain, which campaigned on a more hardline right-wing platform, including promises of extensive deportations. Farage appealed directly to Restore Britain voters, urging them to support Reform UK as the primary "challenger party to the left."
The Rise of Restore Britain
The Makerfield by-election marked Restore Britain's debut in a Westminster contest, signaling its entry into the national political landscape. Despite national polling around 3%, the party achieved approximately 7% of the vote in Makerfield. This performance presents a strategic challenge for Reform UK as the next general election approaches.
In the lead-up to the vote, Reform UK had adopted a more right-leaning stance, proposing measures such as banning non-British nationals from social housing and taxing companies that employ foreign staff, in an effort to consolidate its voter base. Reform deputy leader Richard Tice echoed Farage's comments regarding the anti-Starmer voting trend, while commending Burnham for retaining a historically safe Labour seat.
Following the result, Rupert Lowe of Restore Britain celebrated his candidate Rebecca Shepherd's "remarkable" achievement, asserting that his party had made significant progress in a short period. "Restore Britain is now officially on the map," Lowe declared.
Other By-Election Results
The Makerfield vote was one of three by-elections held on Thursday. In Scotland, the Conservatives secured Aberdeen South from the SNP, while the SNP maintained its hold on Arbroath and Broughty Ferry.
Source: BBC News