Reform UK has announced self-employed plumber Robert Kenyon as the party’s candidate for the crucial Makerfield by-election to challenge Andy Burnham’s bid to return to Westminster.
Mr Kenyon, who has served as an army reservist and previously worked as a technician for the NHS in Lancashire, also ran in the 2024 election, where he finished in second place.
Reform leader Nigel Farage said: “This by-election contest is now a David versus Goliath battle.
“This is ‘the plucky plumber’ taking on ‘open borders Burnham’. Only Reform UK can beat Labour in this by-election.”
The by-election was triggered after Josh Simmons MP forfeited his seat to make way for Mr Burnham, who is using the vote as a means to re-enter Parliament and launch a leadership challenge against the Prime Minister.
Reform’s candidate prides himself as a true local, claiming his family lineage can be traced back in Makerfield for at least the last 200 years.
With a narrow margin of just 5,000 votes between Labour and Reform in Makerfield during the last general election, Mr Burnham by no means picked a safe seat.
Makerfield, made up of Wigan, Hindley and Ashton-in-Makerfield, has held as a Labour seat for decades, but saw a surge in support for Reform during the local elections earlier this month.
Reform UK has announced self-employed plumber Robert Kenyon as the party’s candidate for the crucial Makerfield by-election
Nigel Farage previously said Reform would “throw absolutely everything” to stop Andy Burnham, in what has been described as the most significant by-election in history.
Announcing Mr Kenyon’s candidacy, a party spokesman said: “Makerfield was Andy Burnham’s back up plan. For Robert Kenyon, it’s his home.”
If elected, Mr Kenyon would become the first person born in the constituency to become the MP.
He already sits as one of Reform’s newly elected councillors in the area, currently sitting for Bryn with Ashton-in-Makerfield North.
In a video shared by the party, Mr Kenyon said: “Labour and a lot of the other parties have got career politicians, they go to private school, they go to university, they get a job at a think tank.
“For Andy Burnham, Makerfield will be a stepping stone, but for me it’s the only place I’ve ever wanted to represent.”
So far, four candidates have been appointed to run in the anticipated by-election – with candidates confirmed by Labour, Reform, Restore Britain and the Monster Raving Loony Party.
The Conservatives, Green Party and Liberal Democrats are all expected to submit candidates before the deadline, with the contest speculated to take place on June 18.
Andy Burnham has confirmed he will run in the Makerfield by-election for Labour
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Mr Burnham, 56, was confirmed as Labour’s candidate earlier today, after the party’s National Executive Committee signed off on his selection.
The party said no other candidates had been shortlisted for the seat, meaning no selection vote was needed.
Meanwhile, 53-year-old Wigan businesswoman Rebecca Shepherd will stand on behalf of Restore Britain – marking the first time the emerging party has fielded a candidate at a Westminster election.
Restore Britain described her as “understanding first-hand the pressures facing local businesses and working families across the area”.
The other known candidate at this time is 83-year-old Alan “Howlin” Laud Hope, who took over as leader of the Monster raving Looney Party after Screaming Lord Sutch’s death in 1999.
As the former Mayor of Ashburton in Devon, Mr Hope has stood for Parliament more than 30 times without ever winning a seat.
In a social media statement, the party said: “We can confirm that our glorious leader Alan ‘Howlin’ Laud Hope with selected agents will be standing against Andy Burnham in the forthcoming election in Makerfield.”
Reform UK Selects Robert Kenyon to Challenge Andy Burnham in High-Stakes Makerfield By-Election
Reform UK has officially announced self-employed plumber Robert Kenyon as the party’s candidate for the highly anticipated Makerfield by-election, where he will challenge Labour heavyweight Andy Burnham in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched political contests of the year.
Mr Kenyon is no stranger to local politics. He previously contested the 2024 General Election in Makerfield, where he achieved a strong second-place finish behind Labour. His performance demonstrated the growing popularity of Reform UK in the constituency and encouraged the party to invest further in the area.
Alongside running his plumbing business, Mr Kenyon has served as an Army Reservist and previously worked as a technician for the NHS in Lancashire. Reform UK has highlighted his varied professional background as evidence that he understands the everyday concerns of ordinary working people rather than representing the traditional political establishment.
Party leader Nigel Farage described the election as a defining political battle.
“This by-election contest is now a David versus Goliath battle,” Mr Farage said.
“This is ‘the plucky plumber’ taking on ‘open borders Burnham’. Only Reform UK can beat Labour in this by-election.”
Farage added that the party intends to campaign aggressively in the constituency, promising to “throw absolutely everything” into the race. Reform believes that increasing dissatisfaction with both Labour and the Conservatives has created a significant opportunity to win support from voters seeking political change.
Why the By-Election Is Taking Place
The by-election was triggered after Josh Simmons MP stepped down from the seat, allowing Andy Burnham to contest the constituency. Burnham, who currently serves as Mayor of Greater Manchester, hopes to return to Westminster after several years in local government.
Political commentators believe Burnham’s return to Parliament could position him as a future challenger for the Labour leadership, particularly if dissatisfaction with the current Prime Minister continues to grow. As a result, the Makerfield contest is being viewed not only as a local election but also as a vote with potential national political consequences.
A Local Candidate
Reform UK has emphasised that Robert Kenyon is deeply connected to the local community. According to the party, his family’s roots in Makerfield stretch back at least 200 years, making him a lifelong resident with strong ties to the area.
Announcing his candidacy, a Reform spokesperson said:
“Makerfield was Andy Burnham’s backup plan. For Robert Kenyon, it’s his home.”
If elected, Mr Kenyon would become the first Member of Parliament actually born in the constituency, something Reform believes highlights his genuine local identity.
In addition to standing for Parliament, Mr Kenyon currently serves as one of Reform UK’s newly elected local councillors, representing Bryn with Ashton-in-Makerfield North. His recent local election victory reflects the party’s growing influence across the region.
Campaign Message
In a campaign video released by Reform UK, Mr Kenyon contrasted his background with that of career politicians.
“Labour and a lot of the other parties have got career politicians. They go to private school, they go to university, they get a job at a think tank.”
He continued:
“For Andy Burnham, Makerfield will be a stepping stone, but for me it’s the only place I’ve ever wanted to represent.”
Kenyon has pledged to focus on issues affecting local residents, including the cost of living, crime, immigration, NHS waiting times, and support for small businesses. He argues that Parliament needs more representatives with practical work experience rather than professional political careers.
Labour’s Candidate
Earlier in the day, Labour officially confirmed Andy Burnham, aged 56, as its candidate after the party’s National Executive Committee approved his selection. No other Labour candidates were shortlisted, meaning a local selection vote was unnecessary.
Burnham is one of Labour’s best-known politicians, having previously served in several Cabinet positions before becoming Mayor of Greater Manchester. His supporters argue that his experience and national profile make him well suited to represent Makerfield in Parliament.
However, critics have questioned whether Burnham is using the constituency simply as a route back into Westminster rather than because of any long-term commitment to the area.
Other Candidates
The Makerfield by-election is expected to feature a diverse field of candidates.
Rebecca Shepherd, a 53-year-old businesswoman from Wigan, will stand for Restore Britain, marking the first time the emerging political party has contested a Westminster parliamentary election. The party says her experience running a business gives her a strong understanding of the economic pressures facing local families and employers.
Meanwhile, the Monster Raving Loony Party has once again entered the race with its leader Alan “Howlin” Laud Hope, aged 83. Mr Hope became leader of the party after the death of Screaming Lord Sutch in 1999 and has contested parliamentary elections more than thirty times without success.
In a statement on social media, the party announced:
“We can confirm that our glorious leader Alan ‘Howlin’ Laud Hope with selected agents will be standing against Andy Burnham in the forthcoming election in Makerfield.”
The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and Green Party are all expected to nominate candidates before the official deadline, creating an even more competitive contest.
A Closely Watched Election
Although Makerfield has been represented by Labour for decades, recent elections have shown changing political trends. At the 2024 General Election, Labour’s majority over Reform UK was reduced to approximately 5,000 votes, while recent local elections saw Reform make significant gains in the area.
These results suggest that the constituency may be more competitive than in previous years. Political analysts believe voter turnout, tactical voting, and local campaign effectiveness could all play crucial roles in determining the outcome.
The by-election, widely expected to take place on 18 June, will therefore be closely watched across the country. Beyond deciding who represents Makerfield in Parliament, the result may provide an important indication of public opinion ahead of the next general election and could influence the future direction of both Labour and Reform UK.