Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, will face Reform UK's Robert Kenyon in the crucial Makerfield byelection next month, a contest that could reshape British politics. The seat, just outside Wigan, became vacant after Labour MP Josh Simons stepped down to allow Burnham to return to Westminster.
Reform UK has positioned Kenyon, a plumber and army reservist, as a local champion against what they call a career politician. However, Kenyon faced scrutiny over deleted social media posts, including comments questioning vaccine efficacy, interactions with a Dutch far-right influencer, and praise for Donald Trump. The Conservatives also questioned why his X account had been suspended.
Burnham, selected by Labour's national executive committee without a contested shortlist, has been open about his ambition to influence national policy and is widely expected to challenge Keir Starmer for the party leadership if he wins. He stated he is humbled by the selection and pledged to focus on neglected areas like Makerfield.
Reform leader Nigel Farage described the contest as a 'David versus Goliath battle'. Kenyon attacked Burnham for using the seat as a stepping stone, despite Burnham's family home being nearby. Kenyon said Labour and other parties have 'career politicians' parachuted into unfamiliar constituencies.
The byelection, expected on 18 June, also features candidates from Restore Britain, the far-right party led by former Reform MP Rupert Lowe, and the Greens. Labour and Reform are favourites, but face challenges from both left and right.
Meanwhile, former Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford called for Starmer to set a timetable for leadership change, saying 'a combination of circumstances and capacity mean that it hasn't worked out'. Starmer has refused to consider a timeline, insisting he hopes to lead Labour into the next election.
