Makerfield Election Results Mark Worst Night For Reform UK

Reform UK suffered their “worst night since the general election” after trailing in a distant second in the Makerfield by-election, a top pollster has said.

Luke Tryl of More in Common said the party’s path to power could now become “very, very hard”.

Andy Burnham almost doubled Labour’s majority to easily win the crunch by-election.

Reform candidate Robert Kenyon came second, more than 9,000 votes behind Burnham.

Even more worryingly for Reform leader Nigel Farage, Restore Britain came third after securing more than 3,000 votes on a right-wing, anti-immigration policy platform.

In addition, the Conservatives received a major boost by winning Aberdeen South from the SNP.

That by-election was called after the sitting SNP MP, Stephen Flynn, was elected to the Scottish Parliament last month.

In a post on X, Tryl said: “Think this is unarguably Reform’s worst night since General Election.

“Barely any increase in their vote share in Makerfield. 20 point Labour win in a seat that was one of their best second places in 2024.

“Tories show proof of life and even momentum in battle for the right with Aberdeen South win.

“Restore Britain take 7% [in makerfield]. Replicated elsewhere in fragmented politics Reform’s path to govt becomes very very hard.”

Reform’s defeat comes just four months after the party lost the Gorton and Denton by-election to the Greens.

In addition, the party also lost two council seats to the Conservatives on Thursday night.

Tory frontbencher James Cleverly said: “When people see what Reform is like in office, they change their minds about Reform.”

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