The tactics Reform will use to defeat Burnham in crunch by-election

Nigel Farage is planning to put Andy Burnham’s pro-European stance at the heart of Reform UK’s campaign to stop the Greater Manchester Mayor returning to Westminster, The i Paper understands.

The Reform leader has vowed to “throw everything” at beating Burnham in the Makerfield by-election – and it is understood this will include highlighting his previous comments about wanting the UK to rejoin the European Union “in my lifetime”.

Burnham already faces a tough battle in the forthcoming by-election. After being cleared to run by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) on Friday he must now be selected as candidate by local party officials – and will then face a battle against Reform’s candidate, who is yet to be named.

Shorts

At the 2024 general election Josh Simons, who is vacating the “Red Wall” seat to give Burnham a chance to challenge Sir Keir Starmer, secured a majority of 5,399, ahead of Reform in second place.