Why Makerfield remains a Labour stronghold despite the shifting tides of British politics
In short: Makerfield is a political anomaly in Greater Manchester. While other Red Wall seats have buckled under the pressure of changing voter loyalties, this constituency has remained firmly Labour since its 1983 inception. Its unique identity, rooted in industrial history and suburban growth, offers a masterclass in electoral resilience.
The constituency of Makerfield does not correspond to a single town. Instead, its name is derived from the suffix found in local settlements like Ashton-in-Makerfield and Ince-in-Makerfield. Created in 1983 from parts of five former constituencies—Ince, Wigan, Leigh, Newton, and Westhoughton—the area is defined by its working-class residential suburbs located south of Wigan and west of Leigh. Historically known for coal mining, the region now features a mix of light industry and expanding residential zones, alongside semi-rural land bordering St Helens.
Makerfield is widely regarded as one of the safest Labour seats in the UK. The party's dominance here is long-standing; the predecessor seat of Ince was held by Labour from 1906 until the current constituency was established in 1983. Even during the 2019 general election, when many Red Wall seats saw Labour majorities collapse, Makerfield held firm. While the 2024 election saw a surge in support for Reform UK—which pushed the Conservatives into third place—Labour maintained its hold on the seat.
The political landscape shifted again in June 2026, when a by-election followed the resignation of Josh Simons. The contest saw Andy Burnham, the current Prime Minister, elected as the new MP. Notably, the by-election resulted in a 3.5% swing back toward Labour, defying the national trend where Reform UK was leading in the polls. Beyond its political stability, the area is home to Winstanley College, a high-performing sixth-form institution with approximately 1,800 students, reflecting the constituency's character as a stable, skilled working-class community with higher-than-average home ownership and lower levels of deprivation compared to its neighbours.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Makerfield (constituency)
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