Farage Targets 1 By-Election Win to Reassert Reform Against Labour and Right-Wing Rivals
Updated
Updated · The Irish News · May 27
Farage Targets 1 By-Election Win to Reassert Reform Against Labour and Right-Wing Rivals
6 articles · Updated · The Irish News · May 27
Makerfield’s by-election has become Nigel Farage’s next test, with the Reform UK leader seeking a win that would both rattle Labour and blunt challenges from newer right-wing groups.
Restore Britain is fielding a candidate backed by Ben Habib’s Advance UK, with support also nudged from Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk, creating the kind of right-on-right split Farage has long viewed as dangerous.
Farage’s camp also sees Labour’s local strength as a reason the contest matters: a strong result would pressure Keir Starmer while measuring Reform against figures such as Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.
The race lands nearly 10 years after the 2016 Brexit vote, with the report arguing Farage’s success in mobilizing disaffected voters has already reshaped both the Conservatives and Labour.
With a new rival splitting the right-wing vote, can Farage's populist wave finally break through in Labour's northern heartlands?
After promising tax cuts but raising them in local councils, can Reform UK prove it is truly ready to govern?
The Rise of Reform UK: 2026 Local Election Gains, By-Election Challenges, and the Fragmentation of UK Politics
Overview
Reform UK has rapidly intensified its electoral efforts, using the May 2026 Gorton and Denton by-election as a key test of its growing influence. Although the party did not win the seat, its strong performance was seen as a major challenge to established parties, especially the Conservatives. Local figures described the contest as a direct battle with Reform UK, reflecting a wider public desire for change. Reform UK is actively seeking to capitalize on this readiness for change, signaling a shift in the British political landscape and highlighting its emergence as a serious contender in future elections.