A new poll highlights the current hairbreadth margin between Manchester Mayor and PM hopeful Burnham and Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon.

Rupert Lowe’s right-wing challenger could tip the balance in Makerfield – and Westminster

The Greater Manchester mayor is Labour's candidate in the seat as he seeks a return to Westminster before launching a bid to replace Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.

If Reform and Restore's vote shares were added together, the right would overtake Labour and quash Mr Burnham's dreams of returning to Parliament.

The Greater Manchester Mayor has been forced to retreat on various issues since standing in Makerfield

Exclusive: Latest constituency polling shows Greater Manchester mayor is slightly ahead of Reform UK – but it’s still all to play for

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAndy Burnham smiles during a campaign visit…

A new poll highlights the current hairbreadth margin between Manchester Mayor and PM hopeful Burnham and Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon.

A poll this weekend by More in Common and the UCL Policy Lab puts Andy Burnham on 45 per cent, with Reform's Robert Kenyon on 40 per cent and Restore on 8 per cent.

With Burnham effectively campaigning to be both Makerfield's MP and Prime Minister, he has tried to bring businesses on board with various promises.

By splitting the Right-wing vote in Thursday's Makerfield by-election, Restore could help propel Andy Burnham into Downing Street.

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleA Reform UK board member has admitted that…