Burnham Reality Check Hits Labour as Reform Still Leads

Labour’s Burnham escape plan has just run into a brutal reality check. Many inside the party may hope Andy Burnham could revive Labour, trigger a polling bounce and beat Reform, but new research suggests the problem runs much deeper than Keir Starmer alone. Michael Heaver looks at fresh BMG polling showing that even if Burnham became Labour leader and Prime Minister, Reform would still lead Labour at the next general election. He also examines the pressure around the Makerfield by-election, reports of Labour canvassers allegedly urging some Reform-leaning voters to back Restore instead, and the wider mood of panic inside the party. For Labour MPs hoping Burnham is the big answer, the response is devastating.