Reform UK Suffers Worst By-Election Night Since General Election
In the UK's Makerfield by-election, Labour’s Andy Burnham nearly doubled his majority, defeating Reform UK by over 9,000 votes. Reform finished second, barely increasing its vote share, while the right-wing Restore Britain party splintered the right-wing vote. Concurrently, the Conservatives won the Aberdeen South by-election from the SNP, their first Scottish by-election victory since 1967. Reform also lost two council seats and its third consecutive by-election, weakening its momentum.
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Democracy in Britain: Where Were the Other Parties in the June 18th By-Elections?
The article analyzes three UK by-elections held on June 18, highlighting that the Reform Party, previously seen as unstoppable, suffered setbacks, while the Conservative Party achieved a notable victory in Aberdeen South, Scotland—its first Scottish by-election win since 1967. In Makerfield, Labour defeated Reform decisively, with the Conservatives, Greens, and Liberal Democrats all losing their deposits due to low vote shares. The analysis suggests tactical voting and ideological bloc voting are becoming more prominent in the UK's multiparty, polarized environment. The Aberdeen South victory, focused on North Sea oil and gas issues, provided a much-needed confidence boost for Scottish Conservatives after recent electoral losses. The article also notes lower voter turnout in Scotland compared to Makerfield.
Hoover InstitutionDemocracy in Britain: By-election Signs and Portents
The article analyzes three UK by-elections held on June 18, focusing on their political implications. In Makerfield, Andy Burnham's victory led to Keir Starmer's resignation as Prime Minister, positioning Burnham as Labour's likely new leader. The author questions Burnham's policy substance, noting his reliance on 'vibes' and slogans. The Reform Party, led by Nigel Farage, suffered three defeats, challenging the narrative of its unstoppable rise. Meanwhile, the Conservative Party showed electoral life by winning Aberdeen South and placing second in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, suggesting it remains a viable right-wing alternative to Reform. The piece concludes that the left wing of Labour may benefit most from Starmer's ouster, while the media's focus on Makerfield overlooks significant Scottish results.
Hoover InstitutionLaura Kuenssberg confronts top Tory over humiliating Makerfield by-election result
BBC presenter Laura Kuenssberg interviewed shadow chancellor Mel Stride on her Sunday show, pressing him on the Conservative Party's catastrophic performance in the Makerfield by-election. Labour's Andy Burnham won the northwest seat with 54.8% of the vote, Reform UK's Rob Kenyon came second with 34.5%, the far-right Restore Britain group got 6.8%, and the Conservative candidate Michael Winstanley placed fourth with just 997 votes (2.2% share). Stride attempted to deflect by highlighting the Tories' by-election win in Aberdeen South (first in Scotland since 1967) and arguing Makerfield is a historic Labour stronghold. Kuenssberg countered that the Tories won 34% of the vote there in 2019, implying a devastating collapse under leader Kemi Badenoch. She also noted Reform UK's third consecutive by-election loss, suggesting they are struggling to position themselves as the main opposition.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Reform UK Suffers Worst By-Election Night Since General Election, Pollster Says
Reform UK suffered their worst electoral performance since the general election, according to top pollster Luke Tryl of More in Common. The party trailed in a distant second place in the Makerfield by-election, where Labour's Andy Burnham almost doubled his majority, winning by over 9,000 votes. Adding to Reform's woes, the right-wing anti-immigration party Restore Britain secured third place with over 3,000 votes, splitting the right-wing vote. Meanwhile, the Conservatives received a major boost by winning the Aberdeen South by-election from the SNP. Tryl noted that Reform's vote share barely increased in Makerfield, a seat where they had previously performed well, and that the Conservatives showed 'proof of life' in the battle for the right. Reform also lost two council seats to the Conservatives and had previously lost the Gorton and Denton by-election to the Greens four months ago. Tory frontbencher James Cleverly commented that voters change their minds about Reform when they see the party in office.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Reform UK Suffers Worst Night Since General Election in Makerfield By-Election
Reform UK suffered their worst by-election result since the general election, trailing in distant second place in the Makerfield constituency. Labour's Andy Burnham nearly doubled his majority, winning by over 9,000 votes. Pollster Luke Tryl of More in Common declared the result 'unarguably Reform’s worst night since General Election,' noting the party barely increased its vote share in a seat where it had previously performed well. Adding to Reform's troubles, the right-wing, anti-immigration Restore Britain party took 7% of the vote in Makerfield, splintering the right-wing electorate. Meanwhile, the Conservatives received a major boost by winning the Aberdeen South by-election from the SNP. Tryl warned that with a fragmented right-wing vote, Reform's path to government becomes 'very, very hard.' The defeat follows Reform losing the Gorton and Denton by-election to the Greens four months prior and losing two council seats to the Conservatives on the same night.
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