Makerfield

Only the Green Party commits to Makerfield public ownership pledges

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https://www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2026/06/16/public-ownership-makerfield/

Composite image of Restore, Labour, Reform and Green candidates for Makerfield by-election in front of a Bee Network bus. Illustrating questions of candidates on public ownership

Only the Green Party has responded to a Makerfield public ownership pledge launched today, explaining which local public services they would take back if elected. Andy Burnham has not clarified his position, despite his critique of privatisation in recent weeks.

Campaign group We Own It asked the six main Makerfield candidates for their positions on public ownership of water, energy and buses, as well as a local BlackRock deal with Greater Manchester Pension Fund to buy up GP surgeries.

Nearly 10,000 emails have been sent to the candidates over the weekend to put pressure on them to reveal their policies. This follows on from a previous letter seeking candidates’ views on support for Palestinian people.

The campaigners point out that in 2025 United Utilities dumped sewage into waterways in Makerfield for over 3,000 hours. The electricity distribution company Electricity North West is rated only 1.9 on Trustpilot and has slowed down grid connections.

In 2025 the local gas distribution company Cadent Gas paid out £38 per household in dividends to its shareholders. These include Australian asset management firm Macquarie and the Chinese sovereign wealth fund.

Cat Hobbs, director of We Own It, said:

It’s really shocking that Andy Burnham has spent the last few weeks attacking 40 years of Thatcherite privatisation but won’t take a clear position on the local water and energy companies ripping off the people of Makerfield.

Voters deserve to know if he will stand up for them or for a handful of shareholders around the world. Keir Starmer promised public ownership and then betrayed voters. Burnham can’t fool us twice.

Water and energy are profitable assets with a revenue stream so it’s a great deal for the public purse to bring them into public hands. United Utilities and the North West energy grid are monopolies – there is no market. So we need accountability as citizens, and profits reinvested instead of leaking out.

Article continues at https://www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2026/06/16/public-ownership-makerfield/

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Continue ReadingOnly the Green Party commits to Makerfield public ownership pledges

Burnham’s popularity wanes as by-election nears, polls find

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/burnhams-popularity-wanes-election-nears-polls-find

 Andy Burnham makes a speech surrounded by supporters at the launch of his campaign as Labour’s candidate for the Makerfield by-election in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Greater Manchester, May 22, 2026

ANDY BURNHAM’S popularity is on the slide with the public, according to two different opinion polls.

In the week that Makerfield is poised to send the Manchester Mayor back to the Commons with a platform to challenge Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for the premiership, Mr Burnham’s previously positive ratings have turned sour.

YouGov, which previously made him the only politician in the country with a net favourability rating, now has him down 11 per cent, with 30 per cent of the public liking him against 41 per cent negative.

An Ipsos poll had similar findings, although both surveys still make Mr Burnham less unpopular than any other politician and notably more popular than potential leadership rival Wes Streeting.

Since starting his by-election campaign in Makerfield, which votes on Thursday, Mr Burnham has flip-flopped on a range of policy issues, from the bond market to justice for the Waspi women.

Leading figures on the Labour left are also privately expressing doubts and warning that, if Mr Burnham does ascend to Downing Street, continuing pressure will be needed to ensure he steers a different course than Sir Keir.

…

Article continues at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/burnhams-popularity-wanes-election-nears-polls-find

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Continue ReadingBurnham’s popularity wanes as by-election nears, polls find