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Reform Mayor Tipped for Labour Defection Amid Political Tensions
Confirmed
In Short: A powerful Reform UK mayor is reportedly being courted by Labour, with Andy Burnham reportedly sending Hull East MP Karl Turner to win him over.
Reform UK's mayor, Luke Campbell, is reportedly on the radar of Labour, with Andy Burnham actively trying to woo him, according to reports from The i Paper. Burnham has tasked Hull East MP Karl Turner, who is suspended from Labour but expected to have the whip restored, with the mission of winning over the mayor.
However, Campbell denies any intention of defecting, stating he is 'a Reform mayor.' Nevertheless, Labour insiders believe he is keen to switch parties, citing his family background and his father's mining heritage. 'Andy is keen for him to come over to Labour and I think he is keen to come over – although there is nervousness on both sides,' an insider told The i Paper.
Local Labour leaders were reportedly disappointed when Campbell first declared for Reform last year, as they expected him to join their party. 'There have been persistent rumours that Campbell is unhappy with Reform and that he might be looking to defect to Labour, particularly now Burnham has become Prime Minister,' an insider at the Hull and East Yorkshire combined authority said.
Reform UK is also facing political scrutiny, with the party accused of taking payment from an American company for polling it commissioned. The latest allegations have led to the party being reported to the police over allegations it breached political donation rules. Labour also intends to report the matter to the police, and the Greens have called for an investigation.
Despite the political tensions and the defection rumors, Campbell has been playing nice with the current Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to get backing for projects such as a rail junction in Selby. However, the mayor is more likely to quit Reform and act as a 'Burnham-friendly independent' rather than switch to Labour, according to sources.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- An industry source meanwhile said Campbell, one of Reform’s two metro mayors, was “basically a Burnhamite”.
- The former professional boxer and Olympic gold medallist praised Burnham as recently as the Makerfield by-election, describing the then Greater Manchester mayor as a “really nice guy” who would champion the North from No 10.
- Mr Orr, Reform’s policy head who is at the centre of the allegations, said that “no money reached Reform UK at all”.
- This is around 10 points down from last year, and the party is trailing Labour in most surveys.