Multiple reports discuss polling in the Makerfield by-election, indicating the race remains close. Manchester Evening News reports exclusive polling suggesting that voters are aware of controversy around Reform candidate Robert Kenyon, and that the backlash from his comments about women is harming Reform’s campaign. The same reporting says Andy Burnham holds a slim lead based on the poll, though the outcome is still too close to call.
Other coverage referenced in the same set of sources reflects similar themes. The political commentary outlets describe voters in the by-election as angry and frame the contest as a test of messaging and political tone. Coverage also notes that external commentary and campaign scrutiny are influencing the narrative around the candidates. Editorial perspectives in one outlet characterize Burnham’s approach as positioning him against Reform’s politics of anger.
The combined reporting therefore focuses on polling-driven indications of a narrow Burnham advantage and the reported impact of Kenyon’s women-related remarks on Reform’s standing with voters, with no single source definitively calling the result yet.
