MAKERFIELD — Polling has concluded in the Makerfield byelection. Andy Burnham, who serves as the mayor of Greater Manchester, is the Labour Party candidate.

Robert Kenyon is running as the Reform UK candidate for Makerfield. Kenyon finished second in Makerfield during the 2024 general election, receiving 32% of the vote. Four polling companies published five byelection opinion polls prior to voting day. All five indicated a Labour Party victory in Makerfield and showed Reform UK polling above 32%.

Burnham said, "A huge thanks to the people of the Makerfield constituency for your patience and good humour over the last five weeks. My thanks too to the many volunteers who came up to support my campaign. We ran a very positive one and can be proud of it!" Kenyon said, "I am confident of a big vote for Reform tonight. Thank you to everyone who placed their faith in me. From changing boilers to changing politics, this is something I will never forget!"

Labour Party deputy leader Lucy Powell, a supporter of Burnham, said, "While it will be some hours before we know the result, I want to say a huge thank you to the hundreds and hundreds of activists and volunteers who have helped with this campaign. Together, we've spoken to a record number of residents and shared our Labour message of hope and optimism." Labour operated three campaign centres and deployed 3,000 activists during the byelection. Byelections also took place in the Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry constituencies on the same day. Vote counting in Makerfield will proceed overnight, with the result expected in the early morning hours.