Andy Burnham’s first week in office has coincided with a surge in Labour’s polling position, bringing the party back ahead of Reform UK for the first time since March 2025.
A survey conducted between July 24 and 27 shows Labour holding a four‑point lead over Reform, ending the former’s 16‑month reign at the top of the poll rankings.
The poll highlights a shift in voter sentiment, with Labour’s share climbing to its highest level since early 2024 and both Reform and the Green Party falling to recent lows.
Burnham’s inaugural measures focus on easing the cost of living, including a £2 bus fare cap for England, removal of VAT on electricity bills and a 20% reduction in business rates for pubs, clubs and small music venues.
Reform UK has faced significant scrutiny, following a Parliamentary Standards investigation into leader Nigel Farage’s failure to declare a £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire before the 2024 election.
The probe was halted when Farage resigned as MP for Clacton to contest a by‑election, a move that failed to attract opposition parties and left the seat contested mainly by a novelty candidate.
Whether Labour’s current poll advantage will hold as Burnham moves further into governance remains uncertain, but the early results suggest a potential shift in the national political landscape.
