The upcoming by-election in Makerfield is set to test Labour’s ability to counter the Reform party, sparking a fresh round of Brexit debate among senior party figures. The contest has been framed as a popularity test for Andy Burnham, a warm-up for a future Labour leadership challenge, and a gauge of what the party must do to defeat Reform at the next general election.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer reignited the Brexit discussion by acknowledging that leaving the EU had made the UK poorer, increased migration, and reduced security. He pledged that his government would be defined by rebuilding ties with Europe, though he did not outline how this would be achieved without crossing established red lines.
Labour MP Jonathan Hinder, representing Pendle and Clitheroe, pushed back on reopening the Brexit debate, arguing that it is not a priority for voters. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he warned that Labour had taken a significant hit in its traditional working-class strongholds, echoing concerns that the party must focus on more pressing issues.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting went further, describing Brexit as a “catastrophic mistake” and advocating for rejoining the EU, a position supported by a majority of Labour voters and the public. In contrast, Foreign Secretary David Lammy urged an end to public debate on Brexit, suggesting that the party should unite behind a single message rather than airing divisions.
The differing statements highlight the ongoing struggle within Labour to reconcile past Brexit positions with current political realities, as the by-election in Makerfield approaches. The event is expected to serve as a key indicator of the party’s ability to regain support from voters who switched to Reform.
