Overview
- A first Survation poll shows Labour’s Andy Burnham narrowly ahead of Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by three points with Labour on 43% and Reform on 40%, making the race highly competitive.
- Pollsters and analysts say Restore Britain’s entry under Rupert Lowe is likely to split the right‑of‑centre vote and could hand victory to Burnham if Reform cannot recoup those votes.
- Reform’s candidate Robert Kenyon has come under renewed scrutiny for past social posts that questioned Covid seriousness and expressed pro‑Russia views, prompting calls for apology and criticism from rivals.
- Sir Tony Blair published a lengthy essay urging Labour to prioritise a clear policy agenda before leadership change and said he hopes to see Burnham return to Parliament, increasing pressure on internal party debate.
- Reports that some Labour backbenchers have discussed joining the Greens are on hold until the June 18 result, and a Burnham win would be necessary but not sufficient to trigger a formal leadership challenge because he would still need 81 MP nominations.