Can Andy Burnham win back Barnsley voters for Labour?

The South Yorkshire town of Barnsley, once a staunch Labour stronghold, is now a key battleground in the party's effort to regain public trust. Labour's performance in the May local elections was its worst in over five decades, ceding control of the council to Reform UK, which secured 42 seats compared to Labour's 11. James Higginbottom, the new Labour group opposition leader in Barnsley, acknowledged the unprecedented challenge. "I knew that it would be the most challenging set of elections that we’ve ever faced in Barnsley’s history," he stated, admitting the scale of the Reform victory was unexpected. This electoral upset, alongside similar results elsewhere, contributed to the resignation of the previous Labour leader, Keir Starmer. Now, all eyes are on Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, who replaced Starmer and is seen by many as Labour's hope for a comeback. Labour currently holds a slight lead in national polls, a position not seen since March 2025. The article explores whether Burnham's leadership can reverse Labour's fortunes in Barnsley, a town where dissatisfaction with the governing party was palpable. Interviews with residents reveal a complex picture. Richard Riding, a retired HGV driver from Penistone, who voted for Reform in May "just for a change," expressed disillusionment with the "total mess" of the previous government. While he is critical of Reform leader Nigel Farage, he sees potential in Burnham. "He did a very good job in Manchester so let’s see what he can do now," Riding said, indicating a willingness to return to Labour in future elections. Barnsley's former Labour council was highly regarded, having won both the Local Government Chronicle and Municipal Journal (MJ) council of the year awards in 2023. It was also recognized among the top 10 most productive councils nationally. The question remains whether this past success and Burnham's leadership can translate into renewed voter confidence in Barnsley.

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I knew that it would be the most challenging set of elections that we’ve ever faced in Barnsley’s history. What I didn’t necessarily expect was the scale of the Reform victory.