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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (Image: Getty)
The Tories should stand aside for Reform UK in the Makerfield by-election, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has said. The former Cabinet minister called for the Conservatives to strike a pact with Nigel Farage’s party ahead of the crunch ballot.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham hopes to run in the by-election as he eyes a return to Westminster to challenge Sir Keir Starmer‘s leadership. Sir Jacob told The Telegraph: “I actually suggested we stand aside in Gorton and Denton so I think a mutual pact would be an excellent idea.”
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch (Image: Getty)
Labour won Makerfield at the 2024 general election with a majority of 5,399 over Reform, while the Tories were third with 4,379 votes.
A Survation forecast suggested that with Mr Burnham as a candidate, Labour is more likely to win than Reform, but without him, Mr Farage’s party is likely to take the seat.
Labour is also facing a challenge on the Left from Zack Polanski’s insurgent Green Party.
Veteran Tory MP Sir Edward Leigh suggested his party should stand down in Makerfield in return for Reform bowing out in Aberdeen South where another by-election is expected imminently.
He said: “If doing some kind of deal means we can win Aberdeenshire and save the Union then it’s worth doing.
“My view is that if at the next general election – and I’ve said this again and again – there are two Right-wing parties slugging it off in every single constituency, as night follows day there will be a Left-wing government.
“And if in any by-election there will be two Right-wing parties fighting each other then, as night follows day, there will be Left-wing victory.”
But Tory leader Kemi Badenoch ruled out “any deals” with Mr Farage.
It comes amid turmoil at the heart of government as Labour rivals are vying to oust the Prime Minister.
A Brexit row has erupted after Wes Streeting called for the UK to rejoin the EU as he confirmed he would stand in any Labour leadership contest.
But allies of Mr Burnham accused the ex-health secretary of seeking to derail his bid to win Leave-voting Makerfield by raising the issue.