Labour leads Reform in new election projection as conference opens
A More in Common projection puts Labour on course for 250 seats and Reform UK on 147 if Andy Burnham leads the party, reversing a July estimate that favoured Reform. The figures come as Labour begins its conference in Liverpool, where Burnham is expected to outline his political approach.
Labour has received a further boost from a new election projection as the party begins its conference in Liverpool, with More in Common forecasting that it could win 250 seats against 147 for Reform UK if Andy Burnham is leader. The projection represents a sharp reversal from More in Common’s July estimate, which put Reform on 293 seats and Labour on 110. The figures were reported as two other MRP polls also showed a significant improvement in Labour’s position.
The projection is based on a scenario in which Burnham leads Labour. Burnham, now prime minister in the source material, said he wanted to demonstrate a willingness to make “difficult but real decisions” and to approach politics with honesty rather than spin. He told the Guardian’s political editor, Pippa Crerar, that voters wanted leaders to grasp difficult issues and move things forward.
Burnham did not specify which decisions he intended to take, saying further details would emerge when he delivers his conference speech on Tuesday. The conference, billed as the “Hope Again” conference, formally opens at 11.20am. Deputy leader and education secretary Lucy Powell is due to address delegates at 12.30pm, followed by First Secretary of State Louise Haigh and Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner is scheduled to appear on Sky’s Sunday Morning with Kate McCann, while Burnham is due to be interviewed by the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg. He has also announced a new help-to-buy scheme intended to assist first-time buyers who cannot rely on financial support from their parents. Other events include appearances by Defence Secretary Wes Streeting, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and AI minister Kanishka Narayan.
Burnham is also expected to meet Norway’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, during the conference.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.