Labour held a Wigan council seat in a by-election on Thursday as Reform UK's vote slumped by around 1,000 compared with May, while Reform narrowly held a ward in Oldham by 42 votes.
In Hindley Green, Wigan, Labour's John Vickers won the seat with 1,201 votes, ahead of Reform's Bonnie Clarke in second with 887. The by-election was triggered by the death of long-serving independent councillor Bob Brierley.
Mr Vickers had also been Labour's candidate in May, when he received a similar 1,172 votes but was roundly beaten by a Reform candidate who took 1,878. The stark difference on Thursday was that Reform UK was around 1,000 votes down on its May total.
Burnham factor credited for Wigan win
Mr Vickers said Andy Burnham's rise to Prime Minister had played a part in the win. He said: "People were disillusioned in May and what happened on June 18 [Andy Burnham becoming an MP] certainly put a lot of faith back in people who had perhaps decided that the Labour Party was not going in the right direction."
Nazia Rehman, leader of Wigan council, said after the by-election: "I think that politics has completely changed in the past six months. This is a huge endorsement for Andy Burnham, his leadership and the message of hope we are coming back with."
Wigan Reform leader Paul Watson also spoke about the 'Burnham bounce' in Hindley Green but suggested the wave of support for Labour might not last long.
Reform holds Oldham ward despite Labour hopes
In Failsworth West, Oldham, Reform UK won the council by-election by 42 votes. New Reform councillor Chris Baddeley took 642 votes to Labour's 600.
Labour had hoped to take the ward after winning it in the Greater Manchester mayor by-election in July, when Bev Craig was elected as Andy Burnham's successor. The ward, split by the Rochdale Canal, falls into the Manchester central constituency under Lucy Powell MP.
The result again reflected a fall in Reform's vote: in May, Reform's Mark Ruthven was elected with 1,878 votes and 56 per cent of ballots cast, to Labour's 584.
Oldham Labour's leader Arooj Shah said the result was still a success for her party and there was 'a complete change of atmosphere' on the doorstep. She said: "We leafletted and people really spoke and it's obvious they've got their hope and faith back in Labour. I think that has got a lot to do with Andy Burnham but also [candidate] Pete [Davis] and his record in the area has really paid off."
