THE Makerfield by-election proves that Reform can be beaten, Stand Up to Racism said today.

But there can be no complacency, the campaign group stressed, pointing to the more than 40 per cent of the vote won by the far-right Reform and Restore parties.

SUTR’s co-convener Weyman Bennett said: “Makerfield shows that Reform can be beaten. This is a victory for everyone who wants to stop Farage, stop Reform and push back against the politics of racism and division.

“But we should be clear. Reform still won around 35 per cent of the vote, and Restore Britain — a party even further to the right —made a breakthrough with around 7 per cent. That is a serious warning.

“Restore is trying to gather the hardest racist and fascist layers into a more respectable political form. Its links to open fascists and white supremacists have been exposed by anti-fascist researchers. It must be opposed wherever it tries to organise.

“Reform, Restore and Tommy Robinson feed off one another. Reform gives racism electoral weight. Restore gives the harder racist layers a party form. Robinson’s movement tries to turn racist ideas into mobs on the streets.”

The campaign intervened powerfully in the by-election, won by Labour’s Andy Burnham. Hundreds of activists delivered more than 30,000 leaflets and spoke to voters, arguing “that working-class people should not be divided by racism,” according to Mr Bennett.

SUTR will now be focusing on the forthcoming mayoral election across Greater Manchester, which will follow Mr Burnham’s election.

Reform is expected to mount a powerful campaign for the position.