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Political Analysis

Poll graphic showing Makerfield by-election voting intention: Burnham (Labour) 45%, Kenyon (Reform UK) 40%, with Reform UK up 8.2 points since the 2024 general election. Source: More in Common / UCL Policy Lab, June 2026.

Labour, Local Government

Makerfield 2026: The Most Important Vote Since the General Election

admin / 14/06/2026

Οn Thursday 18 June 2026, voters in Makerfield will cast ballots in what appears to be a routine by-election in […]

A timeline graphic of the Kirklees Council chaos. Left panel shows May 7 election results: Reform UK 29 seats (needing 35 for majority). Middle panel shows May 20 meeting chaos with direct quotes from confused Reform councillors: "I do not understand the constitution" — Sarah Wood, and "We don't understand what an amendment is" — unnamed Reform councillors. Right panel shows outcome: no leader elected, meeting adjourned, chief executive acting as leader, May 29 deadline approaching. Bottom quote: "They won the election. They couldn't govern the council."

Local Government, Reform UK

Why Reform UK’s Kirklees Council victory exposed its fatal flaw

admin / 30/05/2026

Reform won 29 seats but couldn’t elect a leader. Newly-elected councillors admitted they didn’t understand standing orders, amendments, or the

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