Makerfield by-election result spells big trouble for Nigel Farage, as voters on the left show they are willing to co-operate while the right is split

Nigel Farage warned that the by-election taking place today will be 'tight' and 'no-one knows what will happen'.

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'.

Political editor David Maddox explains why the crushing by-election defeat shows that the Reform bubble has burst

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…

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

There will be many words written about the Makerfield and Aberdeen by-elections, but one thing is clear - the results have left the idea of the Conservatives doing a deal with…

Makerfield by-election result spells big trouble for Nigel Farage, as voters on the left show they are willing to co-operate while the right is split