Andy Burnham shortly after his Makerfield by-election win (Image: Getty)
Andy Burnham’s Makerfield voters are firmly opposed to handing new powers to the EU, new polling shows. With less than two weeks before the Prime Minister attends a major Brussels summit, his plans to bring the UK back under EU rule have been roundly rejected by his own constituents. Eight in ten say the UK should make its own decisions on state aid to grow regional economies, and 78% say the UK government alone should make its own decisions about VAT rates.
The survey found 75% believe the UK should set its own employment laws and 74% believe only the British government should make decisions about food standards. These are all policy areas where Labour is expected to hand some control back to the EU, either as part of the forthcoming reset, which is expected to include UK firms obeying EU food regulations, or as part of Mr Burnham’s long-term plan to develop a new relationship with the EU, such as re-joining the single market.
The poll deliberately did not mention the EU, in order to break voters out of so-called Brexit “tribes” Instead, it asked voters where they believed decisions should be made. In every case, a clear majority of the voters polled in Makerfield said policy should be decided by UK governments alone.
Mr Burnham returned to Parliament in June after winning a by-election in the North West constituency. He said at the time that every policy of his government would need to pass a “Makerfield test” to ensure it was considered acceptable to the people of Makerfield and similar parts of the country.
The polling was conducted by Britain Unbound, which is calling for the UK to make the most of Brexit freedoms rather then rejoining the Single Market or the EU.
Jonathan Hinder, Labour MP for Pendle and Clitheroe, said: “Voters in Labour’s heartlands are clear that they do not support signing up to rules we have no say over and enforced by courts we do not control. They want UK governments to be free to decide these policies for ourselves.”
Conservative peer Lord Redwood, co-chair of Britain Unbound, said: “Makerfield voters reject giving away our hard won right to self-government to the EU and ignoring the results of the 2016 Referendum.
“They were promised the Makerfield test for any policy change. Yet a few months on, the Burnham Government is proposing the opposite of what they voted for.”
“Giving away our powers of self-government, and offering to pay the EU a load of money as well, fails Mr Burnham’s Makerfield test. A decisive poll shows more than two-thirds of Makerfield voters oppose giving away any lawmaking and taxraising over us to the EU. The proposed reset is a surrender to the EU that voters do not want.”
Other issues which voters believed should be decided in the UK included “buy British” rules, energy policy, animal welfare and medicine approval for the NHS.
Andy Burnham Humiliated as Makerfield Voters Deliver Verdict on Plot to Betray Brexit
Andy Burnham is facing a growing political storm after a new poll of voters in his own constituency delivered an uncomfortable message about his plans to strengthen Britain’s relationship with the European Union.
The Prime Minister, who previously promised Makerfield voters that he would respect the result of the 2016 Brexit referendum, is now facing accusations that his latest European ambitions risk undermining the very promises that helped him win political support.
The findings could create a serious headache for Labour, particularly because Makerfield was one of the areas that strongly supported leaving the European Union.
For Brexit supporters, the controversy is about more than trade agreements or political negotiations. It concerns national sovereignty, democratic accountability and whether politicians should honour the commitments they make to voters.
And with Nigel Farage and Reform UK watching closely, the latest developments could have significant consequences for Britain’s political future.
A Major Warning From Burnham’s Own Constituency
A new survey commissioned by Britain Unbound and conducted by Survation has delivered an uncomfortable message for the government.
The poll questioned 500 people in Makerfield about who should make important decisions affecting Britain’s future.
Rather than directly asking whether respondents supported Brexit or wanted to rejoin the European Union, researchers asked whether particular decisions should be made by the British government or international institutions.
The results showed substantial support for British decision-making across several important policy areas.
Among the findings:
- 80% said decisions about state aid for regional development should remain with the UK government.
- 78% wanted Britain to retain control over VAT rates.
- 75% believed employment laws should be decided domestically.
- 74% wanted British authorities to retain control over food standards.
- 69% supported domestic control over animal welfare standards.
The results suggest that many people in Makerfield remain strongly attached to national decision-making.
However, the survey did not directly ask whether respondents supported closer economic cooperation with the EU or whether they wanted Britain to rejoin the European Union.
That distinction is important when interpreting the findings.
Burnham’s Brexit Promises Come Back to Haunt Him
The political controversy centres on statements Burnham made before winning the Makerfield by-election in June 2026.
At the time, he sought to reassure voters that he was not proposing Britain’s return to the European Union.
He also insisted that the country should respect the democratic decision made in the 2016 referendum.
His comments were particularly significant because approximately 65% of Makerfield voters supported leaving the EU in 2016.
However, Burnham’s position has since attracted renewed attention following his statements about the economic consequences of Brexit.
At the Labour conference, he argued that Brexit had done more harm than good and suggested that Britain should consider different options for its long-term relationship with Europe.
These options have included closer cooperation through a customs arrangement, greater access to the single market and potentially more extensive integration.
Critics argue that these proposals risk taking Britain back towards arrangements that voters believed they had rejected.
For them, the question is simple: if the government wants to change Britain’s relationship with Europe so substantially, why not seek a clear democratic mandate?
Reform UK Sees an Opportunity
Nigel Farage and Reform UK are likely to see the controversy as an opportunity to strengthen their appeal among voters who remain committed to Brexit.
Reform has consistently argued that Britain should protect the sovereignty gained through leaving the European Union.
The party believes that returning to EU rules without sufficient British control would undermine one of the central arguments behind the 2016 referendum.
Farage has repeatedly warned against what he considers a gradual return to European political control.
The latest Makerfield survey could provide additional political ammunition for Reform as it attempts to persuade traditional Labour and Conservative voters that the established parties cannot be trusted to defend their interests.
However, the party will also need to demonstrate that it can offer practical economic alternatives rather than simply criticising Labour.
Labour’s Difficult Balancing Act
Burnham faces a complicated political challenge.
On one hand, closer relations with European countries could potentially reduce trade barriers, improve cooperation and provide opportunities for British businesses.
On the other hand, many Brexit supporters remain deeply concerned about the possibility of Britain adopting European rules without having a meaningful say in how those rules are made.
The government argues that improving relations with Europe does not automatically mean reversing Brexit.
Ministers believe practical agreements on trade, security and cooperation can benefit Britain without requiring the country to rejoin the EU.
But critics want clearer guarantees about which powers would remain in British hands.
This disagreement could become increasingly difficult for Labour as negotiations with Brussels continue.
What Do Makerfield Residents Actually Want?
The picture is more complicated than a simple rejection of everything connected with Europe.
Separate reporting from Makerfield has revealed that local residents hold different opinions about Britain’s future relationship with the EU.
Some believe Brexit has damaged the economy and that closer European cooperation could help businesses and households.
Others argue that Britain should concentrate on domestic problems, including the cost of living, struggling high streets, housing and public services.
There are also voters who supported Brexit and remain firmly opposed to transferring decision-making powers back to Brussels.
This diversity of opinion means Burnham cannot assume that every constituent shares the same position.
Nevertheless, the latest survey indicates strong support for retaining British control over important domestic policies.
The Political Consequences Could Be Significant
The controversy comes at a sensitive time for Labour.
The government needs to maintain support across communities with very different political priorities.
In traditional Labour areas, voters may be particularly sensitive to questions involving sovereignty, immigration, employment and economic security.
If Burnham is perceived as abandoning his earlier commitments, opposition parties could exploit the issue.
The Conservatives may argue that Labour is changing direction without a clear mandate, while Reform UK could attempt to attract voters who feel betrayed by the political establishment.
For Burnham, the challenge is to explain exactly what closer relations with Europe would mean and where he believes the limits should be.
Conclusion: A Test of Political Trust
The latest Makerfield polling has created an uncomfortable moment for Andy Burnham.
Its findings suggest that substantial numbers of people in his constituency want Britain to retain control over important economic and regulatory decisions.
That does not necessarily mean they oppose every form of closer cooperation with Europe. However, it demonstrates that national sovereignty remains an important issue for many voters.
Burnham must now explain how his European ambitions can be reconciled with the promises he made before winning his seat.
The government also needs to be transparent about any proposed agreements that could affect Britain’s ability to make its own laws.
For Nigel Farage and Reform UK, the controversy offers another opportunity to challenge Labour over Brexit.
Ultimately, the biggest issue is political trust.
If politicians promise voters that they will respect a democratic decision, they must be prepared to explain clearly before pursuing policies that could significantly change its consequences.
Makerfield may be just one constituency, but the debate taking place there could become a much bigger test of Britain’s relationship with Europe and the future of Brexit.