The message from Makerfield is clear: voters are not simply asking for a change of leadership — they are demanding a change in the way politics is done.

The by-election delivered a powerful signal from an electorate that has long reflected the political diversity of modern Britain. Labour secured 54.8% of the vote, an increase of 9.6 percentage points compared with the 2024 general election, while Reform UK won 34.5%, up 2.7 points. The result represented a 3.4-point swing from Reform to Labour and saw Andy Burnham return to Westminster with a majority of 9,231 votes — a margin of 20.3%.

But the significance of Makerfield goes beyond the result itself. It was a demonstration that voters are engaged, watching closely and prepared to demand something different from politics.

Turnout rose to 58.7%, up from 52.5% at the 2024 general election. That 6.2 percentage point increase is remarkable: it is the third-highest rise in turnout in a post-war by-election, behind only Torrington in 1958 (11.4%) and Montgomeryshire in 1962 (8.4%).

This was not an electorate turning away from politics. It was an electorate showing that when people believe their voice matters, they will use it.

The lesson from Makerfield is that the public does not simply want new political personalities. They want a new political culture — one built on trust, transparency and genuine representation.

That is why the Representation of the People Bill offers the best hope of delivering the change voters are demanding.

For years, trust in politics has been damaged by concerns about the influence of money, opaque political funding and a system that too often leaves people feeling that decisions are made by and for a small number of powerful voices. Restoring confidence requires meaningful reform.

Now is the time to be bold.

The Government should introduce a clear cap on political donations, ensuring that democracy cannot be shaped by those with the deepest pockets.

It should place limits on party spending, so elections are fought on ideas, policies and public support — not financial advantage.

It should empower the National Commission on Electoral Reform (NCER) to examine options for making the voting system fairer, ensuring that every citizen’s vote has a meaningful role in determining political representation.

And it should introduce automatic voter registration as quickly as possible, removing unnecessary barriers and ensuring that every eligible citizen has the chance to participate.

None of this is rocket science. These are practical, evidence-based reforms that democracies around the world have used to strengthen participation and rebuild public confidence.

The people of Makerfield have shown that voters are not disengaged. They are demanding a politics that listens. They are ready for change, and they are prepared to turn out to make their voices heard.

The question now is whether Westminster will respond.

The Representation of the People Bill provides an opportunity to meet this moment — to move beyond politics as usual and build a democracy that works for everyone.

The message from Makerfield is loud and clear: the time for democratic renewal is now.

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