Richard Tice: Makerfield By-Election a ‘Two-Horse Race’, Vows to ‘Make Andy Burnham History’

Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice has declared the upcoming Makerfield by-election a “two-horse race” between Reform and Andy Burnham, promising to “make Andy Burnham history” and render the Conservative Party “irrelevant” in the contest, as reported by GB News.

Reform UK Targets Labour in Makerfield

Richard Tice, Deputy Leader of Reform UK, has set his sights on the Makerfield by-election, telling GB News that the party aims to defeat Andy Burnham. Mr Tice stated, “Our simple campaign is vote Reform, make Burnham history,” signalling a direct challenge to the Labour candidate.

According to GB News, Tice believes the by-election will be a straight fight, asserting that the Conservative Party is “irrelevant” north of St Albans. He criticised the Tories for “teaming up with the open borders, pro-heroin Green Party,” coining the slogan “vote Tory, get Polanski” to highlight his view of their alignment.

Northern Support and Local Election Success

Mr Tice expressed confidence, citing Reform UK’s recent successes in local elections across the North. He told GB News that the party “won whole councils all over the north from Gateshead, Sunderland and Barnsley, Wakefield, Saint Helens and the like.”

The Reform deputy leader claimed the party has “already replaced” Andy Burnham as the “King of the North” following these results. He highlighted that in the last general election, almost 13,000 Makerfield voters supported the Reform candidate, and the party won every ward in the constituency during recent local elections.

• Richard Tice declared the Makerfield by-election a “two-horse race” between Reform UK and Andy Burnham.
• Reform UK’s campaign slogan is “vote Reform, make Burnham history.”
• Tice stated the Conservative Party is “irrelevant” in the North.
• He cited recent local election wins across Northern councils as a sign of growing support.
• Tice believes defeating Burnham would prove “no one in the Labour Party can beat Reform.”

What This Means for Britain

This aggressive stance from Reform UK highlights their strategy to directly challenge Labour in traditional heartlands, aiming to position themselves as the main opposition to the Starmer government.

For ordinary voters, this by-election will be seen as a crucial test of Reform UK’s ability to convert local election gains into parliamentary seats, potentially reshaping the political landscape.

The by-election outcome could indicate a shift in voter sentiment, particularly in working-class areas that feel ignored by the established parties, and where concerns over immigration and the cost of living are paramount.

If Reform UK performs strongly, it will intensify pressure on the Labour government to address issues like border control and economic hardship, which are central to Reform’s platform.

A significant Reform UK vote could also further destabilise the Conservative Party, reinforcing the narrative that they have lost touch with their traditional base and are no longer a viable option for many voters.

Share if you believe ordinary British people deserve a real choice at the ballot box.

This article is a factual summary of reporting by GB News. Full original story available on their website. All quotes directly attributed.

Source: GB News | Breaking Brexit News