In the constituency of Makerfield, a Labour stronghold since the 1900s, voters are increasingly turning to Reform UK, driven by concerns over flooding, immigration, and a sense that Labour has taken them for granted. The area, once at the heart of Wigan’s coal-mining industry, now sees turquoise banners declaring “Makerfield needs Reform” lining the roads.
Local issues such as flooding dominate. On New Year’s Day 2025, several areas were hit by severe floods, forcing residents out of their homes for months. In Bickershaw, a 25,000-tonne illegal waste dump has added to environmental woes. Despite Reform’s climate policies—scrapping net zero and ending renewable subsidies—many affected voters remain undeterred. Stefan Bilski, a roofer from Abram whose house has flooded twice, says Labour has not done enough on flooding, and he is swayed by the party’s stance on immigration. “My grandad was a migrant, but he came over in the war and worked down Bolton colliery. He didn’t come asking for benefits,” he said.
Immigration and disenchantment with Labour are key drivers. A pensioner from Bickershaw Lane, who was flooded twice and saw her house’s value plummet, is leaning towards Reform, saying Labour has “taken it for granted” for too long. She is not put off by Reform’s climate policies, blaming new housing developments for the flooding instead.
Reform’s candidate, Robert Kenyon, has faced criticism over past online posts where he described himself as “sexist”, made derogatory comments about gay people, and suggested women had abortions to “shag anyone they want”. However, some voters, like Stephanie Doohan, who flies a Reform flag outside her house, dismiss this as personal opinion. “It’s his policies I’m looking at,” she said, adding that Andy Burnham, the Labour candidate, is using the seat as a “stepping stone to become prime minister”.
Another threat to Reform comes from Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain party, which polling suggests is in third place on 7% of the vote. In Hindley, Zoe has lost faith in both Labour and Reform, and thinks Restore Britain will “get a move on”. The Bryn community club, once the Labour club, now serves as Restore Britain’s campaign headquarters, where volunteers like Tracey Bailey, a nurse and health visitor, say they want to “save our country and save our children”.
