Burnham's failing his own Makerfield test – bombshell polls reveal why

Detailed summary

OPINION - JONATHAN SAXTY: Time and again, a majority of people want decisions to be made here in Britain, not off-shored to the EU again

Andy Burnham has failed his own test and that of his Manchester voters. Back in June, the then future PM promised a 'Makerfield Test'. Named for the constituency which newly elected him, Burnham said nothing would be done to the UL which the people of Brexit-voting Makerfield would not stomach. Yet only recently, pollster Survation went back to Makerfield and asked people who should decide VAT, which criminals should be allowed in, who should decide whether the NHS can approve a drug, whether a council can buy British or whether the government can put money into a town.

On every issue, a clear majority – never lower than 67% and rising to 80% – said the UK government alone. Not in partnership, nor alignment. Power should be held in Britain and accountable to the British people. In terms of state aid for regional development, the very thing Burnham wants to provide the North, that figure rises to 80%. On who sets VAT – 78%. On refusing criminals entry to the UK – 75%. And so on.

Makerfield has spoken and on the eve of Burnham's EU summit where he will moot rejoining the bloc via the backdoor. Yet, a test which the PM set out definitively shows his own stomping ground in Manchester – the folks he represents – don't want this. No good Burnham looking to back British if the European Commission and judges keep blocking his plans. Red Wall constituencies like Makerfield won't take kindly to having the wool pulled over their eyes. Yet that is exactly what is happening.

Opening of the article, excerpted from Daily Express. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.