Could this be Andy Burnham’s secret stratetgy to see off Reform UK? | Politics | News
Reform boss Nigel Farage believes a new Labor leader would move left, worsen Britain’s economic woes, scare markets, force unpopular austerity measures and facilitate snap elections. Which Reformation will win! But what if early elections are called for a completely different reason? But what if Reformation finds itself on the losing end of this trade? This is Farage’s big test in the Makerfield byelections. Because obviously Andy Burnham is ahead in the betting markets.
While it may sound perverse to many, the mayor of Manchester has an X-factor that could carry him into safe Reformation territory. Worse for Farage, pollster More in Common believes Labor would gain an eight-point boost if Mr Burnham became leader, taking 30% of the vote to Reform’s 27%.
In other words, almost half of voters who switched from Labor to the Greens and Liberal Democrats will return, with almost a fifth of former Labor voters now choosing the Reform and Conservative Party. At least long enough for Burnham to take advantage.
This follows other polls claiming Burnham personally has more positive approval ratings than Farage. The Reformation may hope that this jump will be temporary as the reality about the ‘King in the North’ emerges.
But what if his high tax and spending plans — never mind the open border plans and the dream of Reparticipation — prove popular in the short term, popular enough for Burnham to call a snap election to capitalize on his rise in the polls? So Farage is right about the snap election, but Burnham says it from a position of (temporary) strength and wins.
While Robert Kenyon is a strong enough candidate for Reform to field – he has all the qualities Farage would want in the Red Wall seat – he may fall short. Worse for the Reformation, ‘Burnham’s leap’ could see Burnham leave the country early in anticipation of victory.
Farage must be prepared for this nightmare. The pressure will be incalculable because frankly if Reform loses this election it could miss its big chance and lose all momentum.
This makes the Makerfield mission critical to Reformation; Reform now needs to prepare for an earlier election in which Labor can enjoy a (brief but real) advantage.
