Labour lead Reform with Burnham as PM, new poll shows

Labour led by Andy Burnham would leapfrog Reform UK in the polls if a general election were held now, according to exclusive polling for The i Paper.

The polling, carried out after Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday, shows a clear Burnham ‘bounce’ with the former Greater Manchester Mayor also coming out on top on a host of head to heads on personal values with Reform leader Nigel Farage.

But pollsters warn the “bounce” is “wafer thin”, with both parties likely to fall more than 100 seats short of a majority if the numbers were replicated in a general election.

Shorts

Nevertheless, it will boost backers of Burnham’s attempts to become Prime Minister by the middle of next month in a so-called coronation, without having to fight a leadership contest against any challengers.