Andy Burnham’s popularity has declined as he campaigns for the Makerfield by-election scheduled for tomorrow, recent polling indicates. The Greater Manchester Mayor, who is positioning himself for a potential challenge to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, has seen a notable drop in approval ratings over the past two months.

The decline began in mid-May following the resignation of MP Josh Simons from the Makerfield seat, which was viewed as a strategic move to allow Burnham to contest the constituency. Around the same period, Health Secretary Wes Streeting also stepped down, adding to the political shifts within the Labour Party.

A separate Ipsos poll revealed that Burnham’s net approval rating fell to -7, reflecting a 15 percentage point decrease compared to the previous month. His approval ratings have diminished across multiple voting segments, including among voters aged over 55 and among those who perceive Labour’s current performance negatively.

Gideon Skinner of Ipsos noted that Burnham faces the challenge of winning over undecided voters, emphasizing the need for the mayor to demonstrate that he presents a superior alternative to the existing party leadership. The by-election outcome will be closely watched as an indicator of Burnham’s political standing and his influence within Labour ahead of any potential leadership bid.