Labour has overtaken Reform UK in two major polls for the first time in more than a year. Survation data shows Labour on 26% of the vote share, with Reform on 24%. More in Common placed Labour four points ahead, at 28% to 24%. Separate polling from YouGov and Sky News found the two parties neck-and-neck on 22% each – the first time they have been level since April 2025.
Farage faces by-election and finance probe
Nigel Farage is under pressure over an undeclared £5 million gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner is investigating the payment, made in 2024 before Farage stood for Clacton. Farage has called a by-election, expected to cost taxpayers between £250,000 and £300,000, pitting him against parody candidate Count Binface and 32 others.
In Greater Manchester, More in Common polling suggests Labour's Bev Craig leads Reform by 39% to 19% in the mayoral race. Reform had hoped to capitalise on Andy Burnham leaving the post.
Burnham cautious on polls
Head-to-head polling by YouGov found 48% of Britons back Andy Burnham as the better prime minister, compared with 22% for Farage. Burnham played down the significance of the polls, saying: “I wouldn't get carried away by any poll. I'm pleased to have made a start where hopefully I've connected with people and I am talking a lot about Britain believing again and getting its hold back. And I'm not going to apologise for that. I think we should have a bit more of a spring in our step... I think maybe we've lost the bit of that positivity in recent times. And I am on a mission to bring it back.”
Count Binface unveils manifesto
Count Binface, real name Jonathan Harvey, launched his by-election manifesto. He vowed: “I will not accept £5million gifts from crypto billionaires (on Earth).” Other pledges include capping bus fares at £1.99, capping 99 Flake ice creams at 99p, a windfall tax on “cosy crime novels” written by celebrities, filling potholes with the Labour Party manifesto, making arcade grabber games fairer, and representing the UK at Eurovision 2027, to be held in Clacton. He also reiterated past promises: bringing back Ceefax, nationalising singer Adele, and renaming HS2 as FFS2.
