Opinion: Burnham should break from Reform's influence despite party's resilient support base
A Guardian columnist argues that Reform UK's enduring popularity should paradoxically free Labour's new PM to pursue independent policy.
Despite Reform UK's 2026 funding scandals and electoral setbacks, the party's support has remained stable or declined only marginally in most polls since Andy Burnham became prime minister, according to polling data cited. Reform retained significant vote share even in the Makerfield byelection, where Burnham won more decisively than expected, and commands backing from roughly a quarter of the electorate.
Guardian columnist Andy Beckett argues that Reform's scandal-plagued but resilient base should enable Burnham to step out from the party's political shadow and deliver policy without fear of losing centrist voters to the right-wing party. Beckett notes Burnham has enjoyed a strong start to his premiership with Labour holding a small poll lead, while Reform leader Nigel Farage has been notably less visible than in previous years.
Sources
- The pressure on Burnham to appease the right is huge. But now is the time to step out of Reform’s shadow | Andy Beckett — The Guardian — Opinion
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
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