Senior Conservative figures have called for a strategic electoral pact with Reform UK to avoid splitting the right-wing vote in the upcoming Makerfield by-election. The seat became vacant following the resignation of Aberdeen South SNP MP Stephen Flynn, who left the Commons to take a seat in the Scottish Parliament.

The proposal suggests that the Conservatives stand aside next month to boost Reform UK’s chances of defeating Labour candidate Andy Burnham, the former Mayor of Manchester. Labour secured the Makerfield seat at the general election earlier this year with a majority of 5,399 votes over Reform UK, while the Conservatives finished third with 4,379 votes. Tory insiders believe that withdrawing could nearly erase Labour’s majority by consolidating the right-leaning vote behind Reform.

Among those advocating for a pact, former business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg emphasized the need for cooperation between the two parties. He urged both sides to prioritize the country’s interests over partisan concerns, noting that while Reform UK performed strongly in recent local elections, it was insufficient to secure a parliamentary majority on its own. He underscored the importance of collaboration in preventing what he termed “the very Left-wing prospect” represented by Labour.

A senior Conservative MP echoed these sentiments, suggesting the party should limit campaign efforts in Makerfield, viewing a Reform victory as preferable to a Labour win. The MP also speculated that Labour could gain momentum under new leadership and suggested that the Conservatives and Reform should benefit from maintaining Sir Keir Starmer’s unpopularity while preventing Burnham’s return to Westminster.

Sir Edward Leigh, another Tory MP, expressed support for such a deal, highlighting the broader political implications of right-wing parties competing against each other, which could inadvertently hand victories to the Left. Leigh pointed to the significance of potentially winning a seat in Aberdeenshire as well as maintaining the Union.

Amid calls for cooperation, the by-election landscape is complicated by the entry of Restore Britain, a hard-right party led by Rupert Lowe. The party announced local businesswoman Rebecca Shepherd as its candidate, signaling an intent to challenge Reform UK’s voter base. Meanwhile, Reform councillor Robert Kenyon, a former soldier and NHS worker who ran in the 2024 general election in Makerfield, is reportedly a leading candidate against Burnham.

The by-election follows a shock upset earlier this year when Labour lost the Gorton and Denton seat to the Green Party, another formerly safe Labour constituency. The upcoming contests are expected to generate close attention as Reform and the Conservatives prepare to announce their official candidates, while Burnham remains the favorite for Labour.

Despite calls for a pact, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has rejected the idea of any formal electoral arrangements with Nigel Farage’s party. Speaking on GB News, she affirmed that the Conservatives will field a candidate in Makerfield and insisted that the electorate should have a clear choice in the contest.