Nigel Farage savages Andy Burnham after bombshell plan

Andy Burnham’s “biggest transfer of power out of Whitehall in modern times” has been met with a blistering rebuttal from Reform UK’s Nigel Farage, and the clash is now spilling into the tightly‑watched Makerfield by‑election. Burnham’s devolution blueprint – promising new mayoral powers and a “No10 North” hub – is being portrayed by Farage as a thinly‑veiled distraction that will do nothing for ordinary voters while the country grapples with immigration pressures and a swelling national debt.

Burnham’s devolution sprint

Speaking at the People’s History Museum in Manchester, the Greater Manchester mayor‑turned‑Labour hopeful outlined a ten‑year agenda to “rewire Britain”. The plan would hand sweeping new powers to regional mayors, shift a swathe of Whitehall responsibilities to a northern “No10 North”, and, according to Burnham, hand “the circuit‑breaker the nation needs”. He argued that Westminster has been “broken” since the 2008 financial crash and that growth can only be nurtured “from the bottom up”.

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Nigel Farage savages Andy Burnham after bombshell plan

Burnham declined to take questions from reporters and has not disclosed how the ambitious agenda would be funded. He is additionally expected to hand more power to trade unions, prompting accusations he is surrendering authority to left-wing union barons.

Farage’s fire‑and‑ice response

Farage, who has positioned Reform UK as the party of “immediate action”, dismissed the proposal as an illusion that will not improve daily life. In a video posted on X, he challenged the record of existing devolution arrangements:

"Ask yourself, has devolution in London with Mayor Sadiq Khan made London's streets safer? No."

Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader, via Express

He added: "Has devolution in Wales given them a better NHS or education? No, they are the worst in the country." The Reform leader argued that giving local government more power would do nothing to stop small boat crossings or reduce the national debt. Farage warned that the “10‑year” timetable is unrealistic, saying the country “needs change now”.

At a press conference in Ashton, Farage branded Andy Burnham as a career politician who will become a 'hostage' to far-left Labour MPs. He predicted that if Mr Burnham wins the by-election next Thursday, 'the honeymoon that he has as Prime Minister I doubt will last until lunchtime!'

Polling sees a narrow but volatile contest

The Independent reported the results of a BMG Research poll conducted between 26 and 28 May. If Burnham were to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader, the party would attract 20 per cent of voters, two points higher than under Starmer. Reform UK would still lead with 23 per cent, keeping a three‑point advantage over a Burnham‑led Labour.

That same poll showed support for the Greens at 9 per cent, and a rise in “unsure” voters compared with the Starmer scenario. Contrastingly, a More in Common survey found Burnham could beat Farage by 14 percentage points** in a straight matchup, albeit with a large “don’t know” cohort. The same research suggested Burnham would lift Labour’s overall vote share by eight points, taking the party to 30 per cent and placing Reform UK at 27 per cent.

Makerfield: the crucible of ambition

Burnham’s bid for the Makerfield seat is his gateway to Westminster. Sources close to the politician told The Times he would rip up multibillion-pound asylum accommodation contracts if he became prime minister. Farage, meanwhile, spent two hours canvassing Makerfield housing estates, asserting that Reform’s support is “on the rise as voters start having to make their minds up”.

What happens next?

• Upcoming Thursday – Makerfield by‑election, with Burnham, Farage and Restore Britain candidates on the ballot.

For Farage, a Burnham victory would provide fresh ammunition to argue that Labour’s left‑leaning tilt leaves it vulnerable to Reform UK’s “immediate action” narrative.