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When Josh Simons resigned on May 14th, it triggered a by-election in his Makerfield constituency, a proud working class heartland of red brick terraces and former mill towns just south of Wigan.
Seeing a route to number 10, Andy Burnham, Labour's mayor of Greater Manchester, pulled on his tight running shorts and declared that he would stand.
But reform were already on the move.
Less than 48 hours after Simon's announcement, activists were out canvassing.
I joined the team at 10am on Sunday 17th May.
Reform had yet to announce their candidate, but deputy leader Richard Tice was in Makerfield motivating the troops.
Those of you who thought we were going to have a rest after the local elections, we've got news for you.
We're kicking on again.
This is absolutely extraordinary, a momentous moment in political history, because what happens on June the 18th will define what happens to the Labour Party, to this government and actually probably the timing of the next general election.
So the next four weeks is a huge, huge effort.
And what a constituency to have this contest.
24 out of 25 wards voted Reform just 10 days ago.
They have sent us an extra bit of a bonus.
Makefield voted 65% to leave.
And West Streeting and Burnham, they basically both want to rejoin the EU.
They're essentially saying, up yours, the good voters of Makefield.
And wouldn't it be fantastic to send a message that actually Andy Burnham is not the King of the North.
Reform, we are the King of the North.