Key facts
- Voters in the Makerfield constituency express significant frustration with the state of the UK.
- The upcoming by-election in Makerfield is considered consequential, with potential implications for national leadership.
- Key local issues include illegal dumping, flooding, and housing development.
- Reform UK is campaigning on a "Britain is broken" slogan and local concerns.
- Labour candidate Andy Burnham is focusing on cost-of-living issues and his mayoral record.
Voters in the Makerfield constituency are expressing significant frustration with the state of the UK ahead of a consequential by-election on June 18. Many locals feel "forgotten" and believe "Britain is broken," with concerns ranging from persistent illegal dumping and severe flooding to a general sense of national decline.
The by-election is significant as Labour's candidate, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, has indicated he would seek the party leadership if elected. His main rival is Robert Kenyon of Reform UK, an insurgent party also campaigning on a platform of national change. However, conversations with residents reveal a more nuanced mood than the parties' rhetoric suggests.
Some areas within Makerfield, like Ashton-in-Makerfield, show signs of local economic growth. Cafe owner Yasmin Ratcliffe and motorcycle manufacturer Chris Ratcliffe have found success, citing local regeneration and entrepreneurial opportunities. Makerfield's wages are above the national average, and home ownership is high.
Yet, the constituency is divided. Eastern areas like Platt Bridge and Hindley face more acute problems. Residents in Bickershaw are dealing with a long-standing illegal waste dump and rat infestations, while Platt Bridge has suffered severe flooding twice in a decade. These issues lead some residents to feel that "human beings aren't a priority" and that "Britain isn't Great Britain anymore."
Research from More in Common confirms "broken" as a common descriptor for the country among Britons, including in Makerfield focus groups. However, the think tank's executive director, Luke Tryl, notes that people often express high trust in their neighbours and view their local areas positively, suggesting strong community foundations despite national dissatisfaction.
Reform UK is focusing on hyper-local issues, such as opposing green-belt housing developments, and contrasting their candidate Kenyon with Burnham, whom they accuse of using Makerfield as a "stepping stone" to national leadership. Voters like Lewis Ash and Daniel Jones express scepticism about candidates' motives.
Burnham's campaign is attempting to balance national messaging on the cost of living with local engagement, highlighting his record as mayor. Despite Labour's long history in the constituency, Reform UK won every ward in the recent local elections, indicating a shift in voter sentiment. Other parties, including the Green Party with candidate Sarah Wakefield, are also vying for votes.