Robert Kenyon

Andy Burnham won the Makerfield byelection with a large majority, defeating Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon by 9,231 votes and the hardline Restore Britain party. The result is seen as a step toward challenging Keir Starmer's leadership.

Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election with 24,927 votes, defeating Robert Kenyon of Reform UK. Turnout was 58.75 percent, higher than the 2024 general election, and Burnham will return to Westminster after nine years as mayor of Greater Manchester, triggering a new by-election there.

A parliamentary by-election in Makerfield, England, could influence the future of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government. If Andy Burnham wins for Labour, he has pledged to challenge Starmer for leadership, potentially triggering a leadership contest. The race is seen as a referendum on Starmer’s leadership despite Makerfield being a historically safe Labour seat.

The Makerfield by-election, which could influence Britain’s next prime minister, sees Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester Mayor, seeking an MP position to challenge Labour Party leadership. His main rival is Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon, with political dynamics involving Restore Britain and Labour’s strategic concerns about Reform UK’s national ambitions.

Andy Burnham is focusing on hyper-local issues in the Makerfield by-election campaign, shifting from national Labour leadership promises to address specific local concerns. He faces competition from Reform UK's Robert Kenyon, who accuses him of using the seat as a political stepping stone.

Reform UK's Makerfield byelection candidate Robert Kenyon criticized Brexit as an economically harmful project and accused politicians of promoting 'nationalistic pish' in a 2016 rugby league forum post. The comments, uncovered by the Telegraph, raise questions about his commitment to Nigel Farage's Brexit legacy.

Reform UK's Makerfield byelection candidate, Robert Kenyon, expressed skepticism about the seriousness of Covid-19 and vaccine efficacy in deleted social media posts. He also advised a person with the virus to 'stop having boosters' and has been linked to interactions with far-right figures and strong support for Donald Trump.

Carol Vorderman, a UK broadcaster, has demanded an apology from Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon for 'disgusting comments' he posted on social media. Kenyon, a Wigan councillor running in the Makerfield byelection, has deleted his account and the offensive posts. Vorderman criticized him as a misogynist and 'cowardly man.'

Elon Musk's retweet of a far-right party, Restore Britain, founded by former Reform MP Rupert Lowe, may fragment right-wing support in the Makerfield byelection, potentially aiding Labour's Andy Burnham. Polls show Burnham slightly ahead of Reform's candidate, Robert Kenyon, as the right-wing split gains traction.

Reform UK is backing Robert Kenyon as a by-election candidate despite accusations that he made highly sexualised comments and spread Covid conspiracy theories on social media platform X. The party's decision to support him despite these offensive posts has drawn scrutiny.

Andy Burnham will face Reform UK's Robert Kenyon in the Makerfield byelection, a contest that could change the course of British politics. The outcome is significant as it may impact future political developments. Burnham and Kenyon are set to clash in the upcoming election.