Burnham clashes with Nigel Farage over attack ad showing Channel migrants with ‘Vote Andy’ placards

Andy Burnham has clashed with Nigel Farage over an attack ad showing Channel immigrants supporting him in the Makerfield by-election.

The reform leader posted a doctored photo on social media of people carrying ‘Vote for Andy’ signs on a small boat.

Stepping up his rhetoric ahead of the vote on June 18, Mr Farage insisted: ‘Andy Burnham is for them, not you.’

But the Mayor of Manchester responded with a laughing emoji and said: ‘Are you despairing, lad? Maybe you can save your crypto millions for something else.’

Mr Farage said firmly that the mayor was funding efforts to help illegal immigrants seek help.

‘Your program will provide housing and social assistance to people who come here illegally. “I prefer to put the British people first,” he said.

The Mayor of Manchester responded with a laughing emoji and said: ‘Are you getting desperate, lad?

Labor insiders have voiced alarm that Andy Burnham (pictured) is already playing ‘war games’ leading up to a snap general election and forming a fantasy cabinet

The row erupted when the race in Makerfield was too close to choose between Labor and Reform.

Early polling last week found Mr Burnham had 43 per cent support, while Reform’s Rob Kenyon had 40 per cent support.

Election polls are known to be quite difficult, meaning the competition is neck-and-neck.

In particular, the poll showed Rupert Lowe’s Rebuild Britain with 7 per cent of the vote, sparking further calls for the Right to unite to avoid handing the seat to Mr Burnham.

Labor insiders have expressed alarm that Mr Burnham is already ‘war-gaming’ a snap general election and forming a fantasy cabinet.

The former Cabinet minister has been warned not to underestimate Makerfield amid growing signs that allies are planning his first steps as Prime Minister.

It is said that there are plans to call an early general election if there is a ‘honeymoon’ period after taking over from Keir Starmer.

There is also a mad tug of war over who will be in the Cabinet, with speculation that Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood are in line to become Chancellors.

Mr Burnham has made little secret of his intention to challenge Sir Keir, who has faced a wave of anger following the disastrous local election.

In a campaign video last week, Makerfield told voters they could make his constituency the ‘strongest in the country’ by placing him in the House of Commons.

An early poll has suggested next month’s Makerfield by-election is on a knife edge, with Mr Burnham trying to fend off Reform UK candidate Rob Kenyon (R).