Makerfield, within the Wigan borough of Better Manchester, stays a standard Labour stronghold however is being contested by Reform UK.
Andy Burnham throughout his marketing campaign video (Picture: Andy Burnham)
Andrew Neil has launched a scathing assault on Better Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, dismissing his makes an attempt responsible Margaret Thatcher for the UK’s financial struggles. The veteran broadcaster and former Instances editor was responding to a video launched by Mr Burnham through which the Mayor, who’s searching for choice as Labour’s candidate within the Makerfield by-election, criticised the deindustrialisation of the Nineteen Eighties.
Within the marketing campaign video, Mr Burnham mentioned Britain had been “on the improper path for the final 40 years”, describing the deindustrialisation of the Nineteen Eighties as “devastating for locations throughout Makerfield like Ashton in Makerfield, Orrell, Winstanley, Hindley, Platt Bridge”. He spoke of “the draining away of financial, social and political energy” from such communities. Mr Burnham instantly replied to Mr Neil on X: “You have to get out of London, Andrew. You’ve clearly bought no thought how a lot folks listed here are struggling. And, sure, lots of it may be traced again to Margaret Thatcher.”
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Good to listen to from you, Andy. Thanks for the by election. We reside for such issues.
I’m in little question life is hard for plenty of folks in Makerfield. However it’s hardly a poster baby for city squalor/deprivation.
Thatcher left energy in 1990. She was adopted by seven years of… https://t.co/QmIZsMMWbJ— Andrew Neil (@afneil) Might 19, 2026
Mr Neil hit again sharply: “Good to listen to from you, Andy. Thanks for the by-election. We reside for such issues.”
Whereas accepting that “life is hard for plenty of folks in Makerfield”, Mr Neil rejected any portrayal of the world as a “poster baby for city squalor/deprivation”.
He famous that Mrs Thatcher left workplace in 1990 and was succeeded by seven years of John Main’s authorities, adopted by 13 years of Labour administrations through which Mr Burnham served as a minister.
He wrote: “It’s fairly a stretch responsible her for any persevering with woes. Except we blame Labour for failing to place something proper.”
Mr Neil drew specific consideration to the homes featured in Mr Burnham’s marketing campaign video. He mentioned: “The homes you have been strolling previous have been purchased by the tenants below Thatcher’s proper to purchase scheme, which has given them some delight in place and a few wealth they as soon as may solely have dreamt of accumulating.”
He additionally challenged Mr Burnham’s pledge to “renationalise housing”, asking whether or not this would come with taking these former council properties again into public possession.
He added: “Even when that may represent a correct, radical reversal of the Thatcherism you’re (considerably bizarrely) campaigning towards.”
The sharp trade has attracted widespread consideration on-line. Labour has managed Wigan Council for many years and held the Makerfield seat constantly since 1983. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of the sitting Labour MP, Josh Simons.
Makerfield, within the Wigan borough of Better Manchester, stays a standard Labour stronghold however is being contested by Reform UK.
Mr Burnham, Mayor of Better Manchester since 2017, is considered by many as a possible future management contender. His marketing campaign has sought to focus on ongoing challenges in former industrial areas and place him as a champion of higher devolution and regional funding.
Mr Neil’s strong response has revived debates over Margaret Thatcher’s legacy in northern England greater than 35 years after she left Downing Avenue.
A lot of his supporters argue that persistent native points can’t credibly be attributed solely to Nineteen Eighties insurance policies after extended intervals of Labour governance each domestically and nationally.
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