The Reform leader said he was 'disappointed' as local plumber Robert Kenyon picked up 16,000 votes - 2,000 short of predictions.

Was Rob Kenyon really the best that Reform could come up with in a political battle that attracted widespread national interest?

Nigel Farage pointed to tactical voting against the PM as well as the fact that Andy Burnham is a 'popular local mayor'.

Reform UK party leader calls Andy Burnham’s byelection win ‘emphatic’ and makes appeal to voters of far-right Restore Britain

Makerfield shows the challenges Reform is facing, from Restore and tactical voting to questions over that £5m gift

"For Nigel Farage, the Makerfield result is crushing. His party’s senior leadership expected to be the story of the night. Instead, it fell more than 9,000 votes short and was…

The Reform leader said he was 'disappointed' as local plumber Robert Kenyon picked up 16,000 votes - 2,000 short of predictions.

'What do you want?' Reform's leader asks voters of rival party Restore

Party insiders say tactical voting could cost them keys to No 10 – as Farage wrestles with Rupert Lowe's Restore