Fact checkPoliticsPublished May 17, 2026
Media reports: “In Makerfield, 65% of voters backed leaving the EU in the 2016 referendum.”. Our verdict: True.

The claim

“In Makerfield, 65% of voters backed leaving the EU in the 2016 referendum.”

Media reportsNews reportMay 17, 2026Read the original

Background in coverage of the Makerfield by-election.

Our verdict

True

Constituency estimates put Leave in Makerfield at about 65% to 66%.

What we found

Referendum results were counted by council area, so constituency figures are estimates; Chris Hanretty's model gives 65.8% and older estimates 64.9%. The claim is accurate.

The evidence

  • Supports the claim

    Hanretty's model estimates Leave at 65.8% in Makerfield. [1]

How we checked

We checked the claim against Chris Hanretty. We reviewed 1 relevant source.

Sources

  1. [1]Chris Hanretty · Makerfield

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