Asda Shopping Trip Could Decide Makerfield By-Election

Forget door knocks, leafleting or TV and radio appearances. It could be something as simple as where a candidate does their big shop that clinches a few votes at the Makerfield by-election.

A day away from polls opening for the crunch vote and the streets of Ashton town centre are busy with backers of both Andy Burnham and Robert Kenyon.

The battle between Labour and Reform has been the story since MP Josh Simons resigned and the by-election was called.

—

Wide Pickt banner — collaborative shopping lists app for Telegram, phone mockup with grocery list

That fact isn’t lost on the voters. The majority of people the Local Democracy Reporting Service spoke to said they will vote Labour or Reform, no matter their political persuasion.

Asked about a significant moment in the election campaign that clinched their vote, radio broadcasts, TV debates and newspaper articles were the usual answers. But Mr Burnham pushing a trolley through Asda clinched it for one voter.

Social worker Nicola Clancy said: “I hope for Burnham to win. I know he is the best person for the area, I’ve done my research.

“I think he can make us be seen and heard in Makerfield. He is a genuinely nice guy as well. He does his shopping in the Asda around here. It’s not for face value or the PR, he stops to chat to people there as well when he’s doing his big shop.

“He’s a public servant. When you work in the public sector your days are longer because we serve people, he gets that.

“I brought my son up as a single mum, I dread to think of opportunities other families like mine would get if Reform or Restore were in.

“There was no particular moment during the election I thought Burnham was the right person, I just know he is.

“He is keeping me with Labour. We need him.”

Local Identity Key

The ‘local lad’ card has been played by Mr Burnham, Reform’s Robert Kenyon and Conservative Michael Winstanley. Local identity and being proud of your roots is a big deal for people in Makerfield, so there is little wonder putting Ashton first has been front and centre of the election campaign.

It’s a battle Mr Burnham, current mayor of Greater Manchester, is losing with some locals, mainly because he is widely speculated to challenge for the Labour leadership and move into Downing Street if successful.

Many people disliked the idea of him using the constituency as a ‘stepping stone’ for bigger things.

Paul Tushingham was out with a volunteer group tidying up Ashton Memorial Garden. He said: “I’m a lifelong Ashtonian, I’ve been to school here and lived here all my life. I shop here best I can. It’s very important to me.

“I do think Andy Burnham will use this as a stepping stone. It disappoints me because we’re being used as a political pawn. I can’t believe Josh Simons stood down to implement this.”

The 70-year-old used to be an independent councillor for the area between 2004 and 2012. He added: “My concern for this area is that all the votes for other candidates are going to detract from Reform and they’ll lose out to Labour.

“I should support Michael, because I signed the paper for him to run, but I think he would be a wasted vote. I just don’t want Burnham in. If he gets to be Prime Minister, he will be off.”

Fellow garden volunteer George is also an anti-Burnham man. Taking a break from pulling up some weeds, he said: “I have seen so many negatives against Burnham with his handling of the Clean Air Zone and stuff like that, but he did get the buses right to be fair to him.

“He’s using Ashton to become Prime Minister. He will forget about sleepy old Ashton.

“I’m voting for either Burnham or Kenyon. I’ll go Tory. I’m basically spoiling my vote aren’t I.

“Michael Winstanley seemed more sincere. I don’t think he said things he couldn’t do – it was that performance on BBC Question Time that clinched it for me.”

Conditional Support

Further down Gerard Street, into the town centre, Jill Reynolds was out with her granddaughter Chloe. Her vote for Burnham comes with conditions.

The 77-year-old said: “I am leaning towards Andy Burnham. I’ll never forgive him if we don’t get a health centre in Orrell.

“My sister has been going on at me, that is why I’m voting for Labour. She’s a Labour councillor and she’s come over from Yorkshire to canvas recently.

Pickt after-article banner — collaborative shopping lists app with family illustration

“I live across the road from another constituency. We get forgotten about because we’re on the border you see.

“I just want Starmer out.”

The 27-year-old Chloe just said she votes for whoever her gran or auntie tells her to – this time it will be Labour.

Elizabeth Williams was basking in the sunshine when she weighed in: “I’ve always voted Labour and I will go for Burnham. I tried to listen, I’m not politically minded, but I think Burnham deserves a chance.

“There was no other credible candidate on the ballot. When you look how much he’s down for Manchester he’s the clear option, I’m resolute on that.”

Reform Supporters

But Mr Burnham’s track record as mayor of Greater Manchester wasn’t winning him votes everywhere. Dave Culshaw and Hazel Ellis are backing Reform to keep him out.

Dave said: “I shall be going against Burnham. We live in Hindley and my bugbear is the mayoral precept.

“Wigan’s council tax has been going up by 4.99 per cent each year. The precept has gone from 12 pc to 19.5 pc. You’ve got to pay that, you can’t get out of it.

“Burnham’s finances are out of control. If he gets into power he will spend people’s money rapidly. He’s not financially responsible enough for higher office.

“Buses are also a problem, lots of them have poor service histories. It cost millions to paint all of them yellow.”

Dave, a former Conservative councillor, also bemoaned Mr Burnham’s alleged lack of response when he was his MP. This was when Hindley came under the Leigh constituency before the boundary changes in 2024.

Hazel added: “I’ve got a problem with him using Makerfield as a stepping stone. He’s the mayor of Greater Manchester, if he’s so bothered about making the north a powerhouse, stay here and do it.

“He’s not got a record. He wants the top job, but what has he achieved? Has he ever been held to account?

“I dread to think what would happen if he came in as Prime Minister.”

Apathy and Disillusionment

The sun was shining on the high street of the constituency’s principal town, but not all the opinions on politics were glowing. A popular third choice to Labour and Reform was not voting at all.

Political apathy in Ashton was there in abundance. The M.E.N repeatedly heard statements like, ‘I don’t believe anything they say’, ‘they’re all hypocrites’ or ‘no more interviews, I’m fed up with politics’.

It’s clear that whoever becomes the newest entrant to the House of Commons come early Friday morning – they have a lot to prove.

Polls will open from 7am on Thursday, June 18, until 10pm the same day.

Here is the full list of candidates in the Makerfield by-election in alphabetical order: