Facing a seismic by-election, the people of Makerfield tell us what matters to them

Facing a seismic by-election, the people of Makerfield tell us what matters to them

This text appears to be an excerpt from a BBC News article discussing economic and social issues in the Makerfield constituency, focusing on local opinions and conditions amidst a by-election context.

Key points from the provided excerpt:

– **Local entrepreneurship:** Chris Ratcliffe founded Langen, a motorcycle manufacturer in Ashton, citing belief in local potential despite Manchester’s pull on entrepreneurs.

– **Economic and social divide:** Makerfield shows a clear divide between relatively affluent neighborhoods (Ashton, Orrell, Winstanley) and deprived areas (Platt Bridge, Abram, Hindley), with the latter facing more acute community problems.

– **Illegal waste dumping in Bickershaw:** There has been an ongoing illegal waste site since late 2024, causing severe issues such as rat infestations and foul smells, with residents like Nicha Rowson expressing frustration and health impacts, feeling neglected by authorities.

– **Flooding in Platt Bridge:** Repeated flooding (notably in 2015 and early 2026) has deeply affected residents like Dawn Royds, who feels the government response is insufficient despite investments in flood defenses. She expresses a view that “Britain isn’t Great Britain anymore,” describing the situation as “broken.”

– **Local attitudes:** Polls and research (including from More in Common) reveal many residents consider Britain to be “broken” and the status quo is failing. However, community trust remains relatively strong at the neighborhood level.

– **Political implications:** Reform UK leverages the “Britain is broken” slogan, focusing on local issues such as opposing housing developments on green belt land. Their candidate, Kenyon, contrasts himself with Labour’s Andy Burnham, accusing Burnham of using Makerfield as a “stepping stone” to national leadership. Local residents express skepticism about politicians’ motives.

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Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More