ANDY Burnham’s chances in the Makerfield by-election are being boosted by a split in the Right-wing vote, allies said last night.
The wannabe PM is said to be “massively” capitalising on Nigel Farage’s Reform UK losing votes to Rupert Lowe’s breakaway party Restore Britain in the Greater Manchester seat.
Sign up for the Politics newsletter
Thank you!
Andy Burnham’s chances in the Makerfield by-election are being boosted by a split in the Right-wing vote Credit: AFP
Burnham is said to be capitalising on Reform UK losing votes to Rupert Lowe’s breakaway party Restore Britain Credit: Getty
A poll this weekend had Labour on 43 per cent, Reform on 40 per cent and Restore on 7 per cent.
A Labour source said: “The Restore vote has been seriously underestimated.
“The Right-wing vote is fracturing and it feels like Reform are losing their minds.”
Reform has urged Mr Lowe to pull candidate Rebecca Shepherd to prevent Mr Burnham winning and going on to fight for No10.
GET BURNED
Burnham neck-&-neck with Reform in by-election poll as Farage could spoil ‘coup’
CASHING IN
‘Man of the people’ Burnham bagged freebies worth £17k while serving as mayor
Nigel Farage’s Reform has urged Mr Lowe to pull candidate Rebecca Shepherd Credit: Getty
The move would be to prevent Burnham from winning and going on to fight for No10 Credit: AFP
It has started a “vote Restore, get Burnham” campaign, warning of a hard-Left government.
“But Restore has refused to pull their candidate from the June 18 vote, saying: “The people decide.
“That’s how it should work.”
Mr Lowe was elected as Great Yarmouth’s Reform MP in 2024.
He split off after falling out with ex-boss Mr Farage.
He now says Reform is soft on immigration.
