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Makerfield by-election latest: Controversy, celebrity rows and candidates so far

Claire HannahWhat's new2 months ago

The Makerfield by-election is quickly becoming one of the biggest political battles in the country, with Labour, Reform UK and even celebrity figures now clashing over what happens next in the constituency.

 

With polling day set for June 18, the campaign has already seen rows over historic social media posts, celebrity intervention, fears of a split right-wing vote and a race that now looks far tighter than many expected.

 

Nominations officially close at 4pm today (Tuesday May 26), meaning the final confirmed list of candidates should be known later this evening.

Every candidate standing in Makerfield.. so far

 

Andy Burnham (Labour)
The current Greater Manchester mayor attempting a return to Parliament and widely viewed as a potential future Labour leader.

 

Robert Kenyon (Reform UK)
Local plumber, councillor, Army reservist and rugby league commentator who narrowly missed out on winning the seat in 2024.

 

Rebecca Shepherd (Restore Britain)
Wigan businesswoman standing for Rupert Lowe’s new breakaway party.

 

Michael Winstanley (Conservative)
Former Mayor of Wigan and long-standing local Conservative figure.

 

Jake Austin (Liberal Democrats)
A Liberal Democrat councillor for Hazel Grove in Stockport, Austin was born and raised in Hindley and previously stood against Andy Burnham in the 2024 Greater Manchester mayoral election.

 

Howling Laud Hope (Monster Raving Loony Party)
Leader of the long-running novelty political party.

 

Robert Pownall (Independent)
Wildlife campaigner and founder of Protect the Wild, who has appeared campaigning in a giant fox costume as part of his anti-hunting campaign.

 

Sarah Wakefield (Green Party)
Councillor on Manchester City Council, selected after the Green Party’s original candidate withdrew shortly after being announced.

 

Peter Ward (Rejoin EU)

Barrister Peter Ward has been announced as the candidate for the pro-European Rejoin EU party. The party founded in 2020 as a pressure movement to try and make the case for a return to the union.

 

Dan Clarke (The Libertarian Party) 

Dan Clarke, who is the party’s co-ordinator for the North-West, stood in the Gorton and Denton by-election, also in Greater Manchester, in February.

Burnham vs Reform

Despite several candidates standing, the contest is widely being viewed as a straight fight between Labour’s Andy Burnham and Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon.

 

Burnham has launched his campaign by arguing politics “needs a new script”, while Nigel Farage has heavily backed Kenyon and framed the race as Reform taking on the political establishment.

 

Recent polling has suggested the result could be extremely close, with some surveys placing Labour only narrowly ahead of Reform UK.

 

The controversy surrounding Robert Kenyon

One of the biggest talking points in the campaign has centred around Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon after historic social media posts resurfaced online.

 

The posts, linked to deleted accounts, reportedly included offensive remarks about women, conspiracy content and interactions involving TV presenter Carol Vorderman.

 

Vorderman has since become directly involved in the campaign, posting a video online criticising Kenyon and demanding an apology over comments shared about her.

 

Reform UK have continued backing Kenyon despite the backlash, arguing opponents are targeting him because the party is now viewed as a serious electoral threat in northern England.

 

The row has now become one of the defining stories of the by-election campaign.

Elon Musk and Restore Britain

 

Another major twist came after billionaire Elon Musk reposted messaging from Restore Britain, the new political party formed by former Reform MP Rupert Lowe after his fallout with Nigel Farage.

Restore Britain have selected local businesswoman Rebecca Shepherd as their candidate in Makerfield.

The party’s arrival has created fears among Reform supporters that the right-wing vote could end up split, potentially helping Labour hold the seat.

 

Green Party candidate change before deadline

 

The Green Party have confirmed Sarah Wakefield, a councillor on Manchester City Council, as their candidate after their original choice, Chris Kennedy, withdrew shortly after being selected after concerns were raised about historic social media posts linked to conspiracy theories and offensive comments.

 

On her selection, Ms Wakefield said: “I am proud to be representing the Green Party in the Makerfield by-election. It is vital in a democracy that voters are given a choice of who they want to vote for.”

 

With nominations closing at 4pm today, the party has now secured its place on the ballot.

The by-election was triggered after former Labour MP Josh Simons stepped down from the seat, paving the way for Andy Burnham to return to Westminster.

 

That decision instantly transformed what would normally have been a local political contest into a nationally watched battle involving Labour’s future direction, Reform UK’s growing support and speculation over Burnham’s long-term ambitions inside the Labour Party.

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