Carol Vorderman has accused Reform UK's Robert Kenyon of 'grinding sexism' and claimed that women 'reacted' to his offensive social media posts, contributing to his defeat in the Makerfield by-election.
Kenyon's Past Comments Overshadow Campaign
The broadcaster and former Countdown star found herself the target of one of Kenyon's derogatory online remarks. She stated that his past comments on social media overshadowed Reform UK's campaign and that his humiliation in Makerfield should serve as a warning to the party.
Vorderman demanded an apology from Kenyon for his offensive posts about her, calling him a 'cowardly man' after he refused to apologize. She argued that people are now voting against candidates, not just for them.
Vorderman's Campaign Letters
Speaking to LBC, Vorderman revealed that she sent over 13,000 letters to women in Makerfield, warning them about Kenyon's behavior. 'It was a letter from me personally directed to the women of Makerfield, woman to woman,' she said. 'That low-level, grinding sexism – if you are famous or not famous, women just understand it.'
She criticized Nigel Farage for dismissing Kenyon's comments as 'laddish behavior' and said women reacted strongly to the candidate's nomination. 'You saw the reaction to Robert Kenyon on Question Time. Why do I have to put up with this nonsense?' she added.
Reform's Poor Showing
Kenyon, a plumber, had predicted a big win for Reform but suffered a heavy defeat. His refusal to apologize for his remarks enraged many, and social media users mocked him after his loss. One follower taunted, 'You lost by a huge margin. You will never be heard from or seen again. Farage has already blocked you on his phone.'
Vorderman concluded by expressing her desire to see Andy Burnham become Labour leader, saying she would 'love to see a gracious transition and for him to be crowned in his home town of Liverpool in September.'
