Britain’s ruling Labour Party are at risk of a crucial loss to Reform as a result of the ongoing political coup d’etat against UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Reform leader Nigel Farage has vowed to “throw everything” at contesting the newly announced Makerfield by-election, the calling of which represents a key part of the plot to overthrow the PM.
Called on Thursday, the vote is an attempt by anti-Starmer elements inside Labour to switch out the party’s local MP in the area — who has agreed to resign — with the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.
Burnham is seen as the number one contender to replace Starmer as leader of the Labour Party, and by extension British Prime Minister, with his return to Westminster a requirement for the revolt to be successful.
The plot comes with substantial risk. While resigning Labour MP Josh Simmons comfortably won the seat in 2024, Reform UK has since surged in the area, coming first in the area’s local elections last month.
Burnham’s supporters appear to be relying on the mayor’s popularity to reverse this trend, with Burnham being rated by YouGov as Labour’s single most popular political figure.
Reform officials have rejected suggestions this popularity will save the seat for Labour, insisting that they will fight hard to steal it.
“Andy Burnham and Labour ministers show their contempt for the electorate by thinking they can swap out one of their MPs and crown a new Prime Minister,” one party official told the UK press.
“Voters will teach them a brutal lesson.”
Farage insisted that the party would do everything in its power to win the election.
“We look forward to the contest and we will throw absolutely everything at it,” he said.
Starmer has meanwhile insisted that he has no intention of stepping down, with all indications being that he will challenge any attempts to overthrow his leadership.