Nick Cohen gives a comprehensive analysis of the Makerfield by-election results from early Friday morning, where Andy Burnham emphatically defeated Nigel Farage's Reform Party, arguing this victory represents both an opportunity and a significant challenge for the Labour Party.

Nick criticises the unprecedented propaganda campaign against Keir Starmer, including claims about a racist police incident and allegations of abuse, which Nick attributes to foreign interference led by Donald Trump's administration and supported by figures like Elon Musk and J.D. Vance.

Nick criticises the Labour government's failure to properly deal wth far right propaganda, or even enforce the Ofcom rules that are constantly flouted by GB News, little more than a voice for Reform. Nick warns that Burnham would face steep learning curves on foreign policy issues, particularly regarding defence spending and relations with America, and emphasises the need for Labour to develop a clear "theory of victory" to address why Starmer became so unpopular despite relatively successful policy outcomes on inflation and immigration control.

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