Labour overtakes Reform UK in polls after Andy Burnham becomes PM
Andy Burnham was appointed prime minister of the United Kingdom on 20 July 2026, succeeding Keir Starmer. In his first week he announced a series of cost‑of‑living measures, including the removal of the energy‑bill tax, capping bus fares at £2 and cutting taxes for pubs and bars.
Three recent opinion polls recorded a shift in support away from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. Survation put Labour at 26 % versus Reform UK at 24 %. More In Common showed Labour at 28 % against Reform UK’s 24 %, while YouGov found both parties tied at 22 %. These are the first polls in which Labour leads since May 2025.
Reform UK’s decline follows scrutiny of a £5‑6 million undeclared gift to Farage from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, which has prompted a parliamentary standards investigation.
The same political dynamics are reflected in the Greater Manchester mayoral by‑election. Labour’s Bev Craig is projected ahead of Reform’s Sian Astley, who is trailing in first‑preference estimates. The mayoral contest, the largest by‑election in UK history, underscores Labour’s rising momentum under Burnham’s leadership.
Entities: Andy Burnham · Greater Manchester · Labour Party · Nigel Farage · Reform UK · United Kingdom
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Andy Burnham became prime minister of the United Kingdom on 20 July 2026. (multiple Reuters articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] These polls mark the first Labour lead in any national poll since May 2025. (Analysis of poll trends in Reuters articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] A Survation poll recorded Labour at 26 % and Reform UK at 24 % after Burnham’s first week in office. (Survation poll reported by Reuters)
- [● 3 SOURCES] A YouGov poll showed Labour and Reform UK tied at 22 % each. (YouGov poll reported by Reuters)
- [● 3 SOURCES] A More In Common poll put Labour at 28 % and Reform UK at 24 %. (More In Common poll cited by Reuters)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Andy Burnham announced removal of the energy‑bill tax, a £2 bus‑fare cap, and tax cuts for pubs and bars in his first week as prime minister. (Policy announcements reported by Reuters)
- [● 3 SOURCES] In the Greater Manchester mayoral by‑election, Labour candidate Bev Craig is projected ahead of Reform candidate Sian Astley. (YouGov estimates and local reporting)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Nigel Farage is under investigation for an undeclared £5‑6 million gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. (Reports on parliamentary standards probe)