Reform leapfrogs Labour in YouGov poll on the eve of Burnham's first conference speech as prime minister

From the Newshound archive · first published 29 September 2026 · last updated 30 September 2026.

Reform UK has jumped four points to 25 per cent in a new YouGov survey, edging one point ahead of Labour on 24 per cent, with the poll taken while Burnham's party was assembling in Liverpool for its annual conference. The result suggests the so-called 'Burnham bounce' since he replaced Keir Starmer in July is already fading, and comes hours before the prime minister is expected to deliver his first conference speech as Labour leader. The Conservatives dropped two points to 19 per cent, while the Greens fell to 8 per cent, their lowest share this year.

Richard Tice mocked Burnham on social media, posting 'Burnham Bounces down', while Reform chair Lee Anderson added: 'Here we go!'

The surge comes despite a bruising summer for Reform — Farage faces a parliamentary standards investigation over an undeclared £5m crypto donation and police are probing the party over alleged foreign funding law breaches.

Burnham is expected to tell conference that 'hope comes from honesty', with briefings suggesting he will address reversing Brexit, ending the triple lock, and creating a national social care service.