"Reform are billing Kenyon, a plumber and army reservist who contested the seat just outside Wigan in the 2024 general election, as a local champion taking on a professional politician who is using the seat for his own advantage. Kenyon, however, faced immediate scrutiny of his social media activity. Deleted posts on X show he appeared to cast doubt on the efficacy of a vaccine, interacted with a Dutch far-right influencer and praised Donald Trump. The Conservatives also asked why Kenyon's account had been suspended."
"Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, was selected by Labour's national executive committee. No other candidates were on the shortlist despite others having applied. The byelection is expected to take place on 18 June. Burnham has been open about wanting to return to Westminster to change Labour's direction at the national level, and a leadership bid against Keir Starmer is widely assumed if he wins."
"Announcing Kenyon as Reform's candidate, the party leader, Nigel Farage, characterised the byelection as a David versus Goliath battle. In a video posted by Reform, Kenyon took aim at Burnham, saying he was using Makerfield as a stepping stone, a likely attack line in the weeks ahead despite Burnham's family home being nearby. A view of Aston-in-Makerfield town centre. Photograph: Joel Goodman/The Guardian"
"Labour and probably the other parties have got career politicians. They go to private school, to university, they get a job at a thinktank or they are an assistant to an MP and then before you know it they are parachuted into somewhere they have never even visited to stand as an MP, he said. Kenyon, who was born in Makerf"
Andy Burnham will contest the Makerfield byelection against Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon. Reform presents Kenyon, a plumber and army reservist who previously ran in 2024, as a local champion challenging a professional politician. Kenyon’s social media activity has drawn scrutiny, including deleted posts on X that questioned vaccine efficacy, interactions with a Dutch far-right influencer, and praise for Donald Trump, alongside Conservative questions about why his account was suspended. Burnham was selected by Labour’s national executive committee, with no other candidates on the shortlist. The byelection is expected on 18 June, and Burnham has signaled ambitions to return to Westminster and potentially challenge Keir Starmer’s leadership if he wins.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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