Andy Burnham to face Reform’s Robert Kenyon in crucial Makerfield byelection

Andy Burnham will face Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon in next month’s crucial Makerfield byelection in a clash that could change the course of British politics for years to come. 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. He said in a statement that he was humbled to have been selected and promised to put the spotlight on what he said were neglected parts of the UK such as Makerfield. Announcing Kenyon as Reform’s candidate, the party leader, Nigel Farage, characterised the byelection as a “David versus Goliath battle”. …