Labour wins Wigan by-election in PM's constituency

Summarised from 3 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 14 Nov, 14:01 · Archive

Labour's John Vickers has won the Hindley Green by-election in Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Makerfield constituency.

John Vickers won the Hindley Green by-election with 1,201 votes, with Reform's Bonnie Clarke finishing second on 887 votes. The by-election was called following the death of long-standing councillor Bob Brierley. The result marked a dramatic reversal for Labour in Wigan, where the party suffered a complete wipe-out in May's local elections, losing all 25 seats contested to Reform and other parties.

Reform UK won 24 of those 25 seats in May but failed to add to their total in the by-election. Following this result, Labour now hold 43 of the council's 75 seats with overall control, while Reform retain 25 members and seven seats are held by independents.

The Hindley Green ward is wholly within the Makerfield parliamentary constituency, which Andy Burnham won on 18 June after stepping down as Greater Manchester mayor to become Prime Minister. The by-election was widely viewed as a barometer of public support for the new Prime Minister, with polling taking place in his own constituency.

Vickers acknowledged that Burnham's parliamentary victory had influenced the result. He said: 'People were disillusioned in May and what happened on June 18 certainly put a lot of faith back in people who had perhaps decided that the Labour Party was not going in the right direction.' He outlined the ward's lack of NHS facilities as a priority, saying: 'We need to get the pharmacy back to start with and take it from there to get a health centre and associated facilities.'

Turnout in the by-election was 26 per cent, down from 39 per cent in May. Wigan Reform leader Paul Watson acknowledged that a 'Burnham bounce' had occurred in the by-election. However, analysis suggests the result reflected as much a difficulty for Reform in mobilising supporters as enthusiasm for Labour's revival.

How it is being reported

• We speak to Hindley Green residents about the “Burnham Bounce” following Labour’s by-election winResidents have their say on the results of this week’s Hindley Green by-electionWigan Today · 14 Nov, 08:50
• 'I voted Reform in May to give Labour a kick in the proverbial, this time it was different'Was the 'Burnham bounce' behind Labour's by-election win in Wigan as they reverse fortunes to take the Hindley Green seat?Manchester Evening News · 14 Nov, 07:17
• The truth behind the 'Burnham bounce'Greater Manchester saw two council by-elections last nightManchester Evening News · 13 Nov, 18:48
• 'Burnham bounce' sees Labour win by-election seatJohn Vickers' victory in the Hindley Green by-election, is being put down to a "Burnham bounce".BBC Manchester · 13 Nov, 11:29
• ‘Burnham bounce’ credited as Labour is victorious in Wigan by-election, with Reform UK in secondLabour emerged victorious in the Hindley Green by-election held following the death of Coun Bob Brierley.Wigan Today · 13 Nov, 07:46
• ‘Burnham bounce’ credited as Labour victorious in Wigan by electionThe PM's party, who lost all 25 seats contested in May's local elections, came out on top in Thursday's poll in Hindley Green, a ward in the heart of his Makerfield constituencyManchester Evening News · 13 Nov, 02:09

In this story: John Vickers · Andy Burnham · Bonnie Clarke · Bob Brierley · Labour · Reform UK · Hindley Green · Wigan

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log