A by-election in Makerfield is set to be influenced by competition within the right-wing vote, according to multiple reports and poll references. Labour’s candidate Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, is contesting the seat with the aim of returning to Parliament. The BBC reports that a new poll indicates Restore Britain could take a notable share of voters from Reform UK, potentially affecting the outcome. The Daily Mail also cites an internal Labour poll suggesting Restore Britain draws support away from Reform, describing Reform’s vote as split and placing Restore Britain support at around the low teens figure in its account. It adds that combining the vote shares of Reform and Restore could, in that scenario, change the balance of votes versus Labour. TheJournal.ie frames the issue as a “civil war” dynamic among right-wing parties, pointing to visible support for Reform in local streets and describing the presence of a right-flank challenge from Restore Britain. Overall, the reports converge on the idea that vote splitting among right-wing contenders is central to how Burnham’s chances are viewed in the run-up to polling.