Makerfield Candidates
Profiles of all candidates standing in the 2026 Makerfield by-election.
- Rebecca Shepherd - Restore Britain Candidate, Makerfield
- Andy Burnham - Labour Candidate, Makerfield
- Robert Kenyon - Reform UK Candidate, Makerfield
- Jake Austin - Lib Dem Candidate, Makerfield
- James Booth - Green Candidate, Makerfield
- Michael Winstanley - Conservative Candidate, Makerfield
- Peter Ward - Rejoin EU Candidate, Makerfield
- Alan Howlin Laud Hope - Loony Party Candidate, Makerfield
Rebecca Shepherd - Restore Britain Candidate, Makerfield
Rebecca Shepherd — Restore Britain Candidate, Makerfield By-Election 2026
Last updated: 24 May 2026 By-election date: Thursday 18 June 2026
Bio
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Age | 53 |
| Location | Wigan borough, Greater Manchester — lived there "most of her adult life" |
| Occupation | Small business owner |
| Businesses | Seven Stars Equestrian (equestrian equipment shop, also known as "Pony and Horse") + Equine Escapes CIC — a Community Interest Company providing equine-based activities for children with SEND needs |
| Personal | Has a child who receives SEND support themselves. Husband is Dutch-Indonesian |
| First-time candidate | Yes — this is her first ever election campaign |
| Party | Restore Britain (led by Rupert Lowe, launched Feb 2026) |
| Democracy Club ID | 139187 |
| Campaign email | makerfield@restorebritain.org.uk |
How She Got Selected
Restore Britain's first Westminster candidate. Rupert Lowe personally announced her as candidate on X/Twitter on 18 May 2026 — the post got 29,805 likes and 5,549 retweets. Lowe campaigned alongside her in Makerfield the day after the announcement.
She was selected over Reform UK's rumoured candidate Tyson Fury — a fact Restore Britain supporters on Reddit were pleased about.
Key Statements & Quotes
- "Understands first-hand the pressures facing local businesses and working families"
- Concerned about "rising costs, excessive red tape, bureaucracy, and overregulation"
- "Passionate advocate for improved SEND support"
- 24 May 2026: "We were expecting 40 people... then 150 showed up" — referring to a campaign event turnout exceeding expectations
- Campaign slogan/framing: Restore Britain says she is "exactly the type of person we need in politics — not career politicians" (Rupert Lowe)
Policy Platform
Based on Restore Britain's official Makerfield candidate page and campaign material:
- Safer streets — targeting what the party describes as "gangs of foreign men" who harass women in Ashton
- Anti-overdevelopment — specifically in South Hindley and Winstanley
- SEND reform — avoid overdiagnosis, invest in playgrounds, targeted support for children with additional needs. Criticises the current system for creating "a growing culture of dependency"
- Anti-social behaviour crackdown — visible policing, parental responsibility
- High street revival — free parking, abolish business rates, investigate vape shops/Turkish barbers for immigration and trading standards issues
Polling
| Poll | Date | Shepherd (Restore Britain) | LAB (Burnham) | REF (Kenyon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Survation/Sunday Times | 23 May 2026 | 7% | 43% | 40% |
| Survation (early) | 16 May 2026 | — | 45% | 42% |
At 7%, Shepherd's candidacy is widely seen as splitting the right-wing vote away from Reform UK. This is a critical factor in Burnham's narrow 3-point lead. Without Restore Britain in the race, Reform's 40% + Restore's 7% = 47%, which would put Reform ahead of Labour on 43%.
Local context: Reform UK won all 8 council wards in Makerfield in the May 2026 local elections with approximately 50% of the vote, suggesting strong ground-level organisation that Restore Britain will need to overcome.
Key Partnerships & Endorsements
- Rupert Lowe — personally selected her, has campaigned with her in Makerfield, posted multiple times promoting her
- Elon Musk — endorsed Restore Britain generally (24 May 2026), significantly raising the party's profile
- Duncan Bannatyne (Dragons' Den) — reportedly endorsed her candidacy
- Kate Hoey — has criticised Restore Britain's decision to stand a candidate in Makerfield, arguing it splits the right-wing vote (but no direct criticism of Shepherd herself)
- Andrew Bridgen MP — active supporter, posted "Restore Britain is going to shock the establishment in Makerfield" (24 May)
X/Twitter Activity (24 May 2026)
Notable tweets mentioning or by Rebecca Shepherd / Restore Britain in Makerfield:
| Account | Content | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| English Rose 🇬🇧 | "Makerfield Restore Britain candidate, Rebecca Shepherd: 'We were expecting 40 people... then 150 showed up'" | X |
| Ben Jones 🇬🇧 | "Rebecca Shepherd is stepping up as our next Restore Britain MP—let's bring her the same patriotic victory we saw in Great Yarmouth" | X |
| Rupert Lowe MP | "Rebecca Shepherd and Restore Britain can win in Makerfield and send the biggest shock in British political history" (22 May) | X |
| Restore Britain | "Hundreds of Restore Britain members out across Makerfield today" (23 May) — accompanied by campaign photos | X |
| Ian Matthews | "Restore Britain have swooped in and delivered a Masterpiece of policies from taxi drivers to hairdressers" (24 May) | X |
| VoxPopuli | "Patriot with a broken-leg is out today campaigning for Restore Britain in Makerfield" (24 May) | X |
| The Raging Bull | "Restore Britain is going to get thousands and thousands of votes in Makerfield. We are in this to win it." (24 May) | X |
| Rupert Lowe MP | "Strong support from Elon Musk for Restore Britain in the Makerfield by-election. There can be no better or stronger ally from across the pond." (23 May) | X |
| Andrew Bridgen | "Restore Britain is going to shock the establishment in Makerfield." (24 May) | X |
Reddit Discussion
Most Significant Threads
| Thread | Subreddit | Score | Comments | Sentiment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rupert Lowe announces Rebecca Shepherd as Restore Britain candidate | r/ukpolitics | 93 | 318 | Mixed/Sceptical |
| Makerfield Candidate announced: Rebecca Shepherd | r/RestoreBritain | 122 | 26 | Supportive |
| Restore name their candidate for Makerfield by-election | r/reformuk | 8 | 7 | Neutral/Mixed |
| Restore Britain announces Makerfield by-election candidate | r/unitedkingdom | 163 | 361 | Mixed/Sceptical |
| First poll: LAB 43%, Reform 40%, Restore Britain 7% | r/ukpolitics | 204 | 264 | Analytical |
| Elon Musk backs Restore Britain | r/unitedkingdom | 603 | 376 | Overwhelmingly negative |
Key Reddit Sentiment
r/ukpolitics (top comment, +153): "How does properly funding SEND fit with reducing public services/benefits/lower taxes?" — highlights the perceived contradiction between Restore Britain's small-state platform and Shepherd's SEND advocacy.
r/ukpolitics (+88): "Interesting to see how Reform perform with Restore on the ballot"
r/ukpolitics (+70): "How long before some choice Facebook posts of hers turn up?" — with reply "One week either side of the election"
r/ukpolitics (+21): "Clever politics — a working mum on benefits raising a child with special needs. Perfect candidate for working-class areas"
r/unitedkingdom (+196): "Andy Burnham will be overjoyed at the right vote split. Suspect it's sour grapes from Lowe not stepping aside for Reform"
r/unitedkingdom (+97): "A small business owner from the area sounds better than someone using the constituency for power"
r/reformuk (+8): "This has real potential to split the vote"
r/RestoreBritain (+36): Full tweet text and full-throated support
r/RestoreBritain (+13): "Get ready for backlash — her partner is Dutch with Indonesian father" — predicting internal party tensions
r/RestoreBritain (+4): "That SEND support is massive"
Notable Sceptical Comments
- +3 on r/RestoreBritain: "Seriously lmao? They picked someone who gets government grants for ADHD kids to see ponies"
- +1 on r/reformuk: "She runs a horse therapy business for ADHD kids paid by taxpayer. Married to [Dutch-Indonesian] guy. Hardly matches Restore rhetoric"
- +56 on r/ukpolitics: "His [Burnham's] local popularity not showing up in polls — he only leads because Restore splits Reform"
SEND Policy — Detailed View
Shepherd's primary issue. Per a Substack piece by supporter Lance Turner (19 May), her approach:
- "Zero tolerance for overdiagnosis" — believes too many children are being labelled
- Targeted investment rather than blanket funding increases
- Practical, community-led activities — her own Equine Escapes CIC is the model
- Criticises the current SEND system for creating "a growing culture of dependency"
This is her strongest differentiator from other candidates and her most personal issue (she has a child receiving SEND support).
Controversies
No personal controversies found about Rebecca Shepherd herself. She has no prior political activity, no problematic social media history has been unearthed, and she has been described as a "clean candidate" by her supporters.
However, her party and association bring baggage:
- Restore Britain is described by Wikipedia and Hope Not Hate as "far-right and right-wing"
- Rupert Lowe's party was formed after his split from Reform UK, driven by a personal feud with Nigel Farage
- Elon Musk's endorsement has drawn heavy criticism
- The "neo-fascists back Restore Britain" thread on r/unitedkingdom (score 556, 721 comments) highlights far-right support for the party
- Her husband being Dutch-Indonesian has been flagged by some Restore Britain supporters as a potential source of internal party tension
What It Means
- At 7% in the polls, Shepherd is a kingmaker in a knife-edge race. Every vote for Restore Britain is a vote that doesn't go to Reform. Without her on the ballot, Reform UK would likely be polling ahead of Labour.
- Rupert Lowe has explicitly stated Restore Britain is in Makerfield "to win it" — not just to split the vote. However, the 7% polling figure suggests that's aspirational rather than realistic.
- Restore Britain sees this as their national launchpad. Makerfield is their first Westminster contest. A strong showing (2nd place, or close to 10%) would legitimise them as a national force.
- Her SEND platform is a genuine differentiator from both Labour and Reform, but faces the obvious question: how does a small-state, tax-cutting party fund improved SEND provision?
- Elon Musk's endorsement has raised Restore Britain's profile enormously, but may also be a liability with the local working-class electorate Musk's brand doesn't necessarily resonate with.
- The right-wing vote split (Reform 40%, Restore 7%, Tory 2%) is the deciding factor in this race — and Rebecca Shepherd is the wildcard in that equation.
Sources
- Leigh Journal — Restore Britain candidate profile (18 May 2026)
- LBC — Restore Britain announces Makerfield candidate (19 May 2026)
- The Spectator — Steerpike on Restore's candidate (18 May 2026)
- Substack — Lance Turner on Shepherd's SEND policy (19 May 2026)
- Democracy Club — Rebecca Shepherd profile
- Reddit — Rupert Lowe announces Rebecca Shepherd (r/ukpolitics)
- Reddit — Makerfield Candidate announced (r/RestoreBritain)
- Reddit — Restore Britain announces candidate (r/unitedkingdom)
- Reddit — First poll: LAB 43%, Reform 40%, Restore 7% (r/ukpolitics)
- Manchester Evening News — Burnham by-election LIVE
Andy Burnham - Labour Candidate, Makerfield
Andy Burnham — Labour Candidate, Makerfield By-Election 2026
Last updated: 25 May 2026 By-election date: Thursday 18 June 2026
Bio
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full name | Andrew Murray Burnham |
| Age | 56 (born 7 January 1970) |
| Born | Aintree, Merseyside |
| Home | Leigh, Greater Manchester |
| Occupation | Politician (former GM Mayor, former Health Secretary) |
| Education | St Aelred's Catholic High School; Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge (English & Drama, BA 2:1) |
| Family | Married to Marie-France van Heel (since 2000), three children |
Political History
| Role | Years |
|---|---|
| MP for Leigh | 2001–2024 |
| Chief Secretary to the Treasury | 2007–2008 |
| Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport | 2008–2009 |
| Secretary of State for Health | 2009–2010 |
| Shadow Health Secretary | 2010–2011, 2015–2016 |
| Shadow Home Secretary | 2011–2015 |
| Shadow Digital, Culture, Media & Sport | 2016–2017 |
| Mayor of Greater Manchester | 2017–2026 (three terms) |
Selection as Makerfield Candidate
Josh Simons stood down as Makerfield MP to make way for Burnham, who wants to return to Westminster as a springboard for a potential Labour leadership challenge against Keir Starmer. Burnham was confirmed as Labour candidate on 19 May 2026.
Key Statements & Quotes
- Called his campaign a "vote to change Labour" — positioning himself as an alternative to Starmer
- On immigration: says a "stronger grip" is needed, blaming Boris Johnson's government for letting it "drift"
- On the EU: says there is a "long-term case" for UK to return, but won't make it a campaign issue in Makerfield
- Campaign launch (22 May): pitched as a "clarion call for change", promising to shake up "tired" British politics
Policy Platform
- On the soft-left/social democratic wing of Labour
- As GM Mayor: prioritised integrated transport (bus franchising, Metrolink expansion), social housing, devolution
- Hillsborough campaign: key figure in pushing for full disclosure and justice
- Advocates for proper social care settlement
Polling
| Date | Pollster | Burnham % | Kenyon % | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 May | Survation | 45% | 42% | LAB +3 |
| 23 May | Survation / Sunday Times | 43% | 40% | LAB +3 |
Key Partnerships & Endorsements
- Keir Starmer: confirmed he WILL campaign for Burnham ("It is Labour versus Reform")
- Lucy Powell (Deputy Labour Leader): campaigned with him in Makerfield
- Darren Jones: senior minister confirmed he'd campaign
- Wes Streeting: backed Burnham as "best chance", said he'd have been accused of "pulling a fast one" if he'd triggered a leadership contest before giving Burnham the chance
What It Means
- If Burnham wins: Labour holds Makerfield but with vastly reduced majority. Labour leadership contest likely.
- If he loses: seismic shock — Reform taking a safe Labour seat would trigger immediate leadership crisis for Starmer
- The race is a knife-edge — Burnham leads Kenyon by just 3 points (within margin of error)
- Burnham does not have to step down as GM Mayor unless he wins the seat
Twitter/X Discussion
Source: Nitter search, May 2026
Burnham is the dominant figure in Twitter discourse around the by-election. Key themes:
- The "King of the North" framing: Twitter commentary consistently frames the by-election as a referendum on Burnham's future — "Makerfield is a set piece by-election for/against Andy Burnham for a GE against 'the King of the North'". The race is seen as a proxy battle between Burnham and Farage.
- Senior Greens urged to stand aside: A Telegraph story about senior Greens telling the party to "make way for Andy Burnham" was widely shared, with users debating whether tactical voting could help or hurt Labour
- Restore Britain vote splitting: Multiple tweets discuss how Restore Britain's Rebecca Shepherd could split the right-wing vote — ironically helping Burnham. "It makes no difference if Restore's share of the vote enables Andy Burnham to become PM" — Restore Britain framing this as a feature not a bug
- Polling data shared and debated: A widely-circulated polling tweet showed Lab 43%, Reform 40%, Restore 7% — debated intensely with accusations of bias from both sides
- General Election implications: The dominant narrative is that Burnham's performance in Makerfield determines whether he can challenge Starmer for the Labour leadership and become PM
Reddit Discussion
On r/ukpolitics, Burnham's candidacy is discussed in the context of Labour internal politics — whether this is a launchpad for a leadership challenge. The tactical voting debate (Greens standing aside, Lib Dems squeezing) is a recurring topic. Some threads question whether Burnham is right to use a by-election as a personal platform, with users split between seeing it as ambition or arrogance.
- The Guardian — Burnham confirmed as candidate
- The Guardian — Burnham starts campaign with pitch for No 10
- BBC — Burnham by-election launch
- ITV — Burnham says backing him is 'vote to change Labour'
- HuffPost — Burnham launches campaign with 'clarion call for change'
Robert Kenyon - Reform UK Candidate, Makerfield
Robert Kenyon — Reform UK Candidate, Makerfield By-Election 2026
Last updated: 25 May 2026 By-election date: Thursday 18 June 2026
Bio
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Kenyon |
| Age | ~46 (born c. 1979) |
| Location | Wigan, Greater Manchester |
| Occupation | Plumber (self-employed) |
| Political role | Wigan Councillor (Standish ward, elected 2024) |
| First-time candidate | Yes (stood in Makerfield 2024 GE, came 3rd) |
How They Got Selected
Selected as Reform UK candidate for Makerfield by-election on 19 May 2026. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said they would "throw absolutely everything at it." Previously stood in Makerfield in the 2024 general election, finishing third with ~15.6% of the vote.
Key Statements & Quotes
- Called abortion "cowardly murder" and suggested women lie about rape to obtain abortions (24 May 2026, The Observer/Byline Times)
- Dismissed Carol Vorderman's criticism by calling her a "luvvie" from the "London media bubble"
Controversies
Byline Times 419-Tweet Archive (24 May 2026)
Byline Times published an exposé of Kenyon's deleted Twitter history — 419 deleted tweets revealing:
- Holocaust denial/revisionism: shared content from known Holocaust deniers, questioned established death toll figures
- COVID conspiracy theories: called the pandemic a "plandemic", spread vaccine misinformation
- Abortion: called abortion "cowardly murder", suggested women lie about rape for abortions
- Anti-Islam rhetoric: characterised Islam as a "violent ideology"
- Transphobic comments: mocked transgender people, deadnamed trans individuals
- "Great Replacement" conspiracy: shared white nationalist conspiracy theory content
- Climate change denial: dismissed climate science as a "scam"
- 5G conspiracy theories: linked 5G rollout to health risks
Carol Vorderman Criticism
Broadcaster Carol Vorderman publicly called Kenyon a "vile online abuser" and warned about Reform UK platforming him.
Social Media Ban
Kenyon was permanently banned from Twitter/X. His previous Reform UK account was also mysteriously suspended.
Polling
| Date | Pollster | Kenyon % | Burnham % | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 May | Survation / Sunday Times | 40% | 43% | LAB +3 |
Key Partnerships & Endorsements
- Simon Danczuk (ex-Labour MP): campaigning with Kenyon, predicting Reform win
- Zia Yusuf (Reform Home Affairs Spokesperson): joined Kenyon campaigning
- Sarah Pochin (Reform MP): campaigned with Kenyon
- Reform UK insists it is "fully backing" him despite controversies
What It Means
- Reform is running an aggressive campaign in a historically safe Labour seat
- The right-wing vote is splitting three ways (Reform 40%, Restore Britain 7%, Tory 2%) which could hand Burnham a narrow win despite Reform's strong ground game
- Reform won all 8 council wards in the May 2026 locals with ~50% of the vote — significant ground-level organisation
- Kenyon's controversies could cost Reform swing voters but may energise the base
Twitter/X Discussion
Source: Nitter search, May 2026
Kenyon is the second-most discussed candidate on Twitter after Burnham. Key themes:
- Fun fact widely shared: "If Robert Kenyon wins, he will be the only Reform MP who is not an ex-Tory" — this gets repeated constantly as both a positive and a criticism depending on the poster
- Abortion comments controversy: "So Robert Kenyon thinks that abortion is 'cowardly murder'. I think he is a total misogynist and such views belong in the last century. I hope Makerfield doesn't vote for this man." — widely shared
- Carol Vorderman remarks: "Robert Kenyon again, who used his social media to post graphic, creepy sexual remarks about Carol Vorderman and female rugby players" — his past social media is thoroughly trawled
- Richard Branson hanging comment: "Makerfield candidate Robert Kenyon publicly demanded business leaders like Richard Branson be hanged for accepting Covid furlough money" — viewed as extremist by critics
- Unsolicited dick pics allegation: Defended by his supporters who push back saying "that's related to Robert Kenyon how?" when the accusation is raised
- Veteran status: Supporters highlight "their candidate is a VETERAN. We stand together give him your VOTE" — his army background is a key campaign asset
- Branded "sex pest": Multiple accounts explicitly call him this, raising questions about whether this affects his vote share
- Tactical voting debate: Reform supporters argue Restore Britain is splitting the right-wing vote and costing Kenyon the seat
Reddit Discussion
On r/ukpolitics, Kenyon is heavily criticised — the abortion comments, Branson hanging comment, and Carol Vorderman remarks are all recurring topics in threads about Reform candidates. The "not an ex-Tory" fact is frequently noted as distinguishing him from other Reform MPs. Some users argue the criticism shows the left "cancelling" working-class candidates.
- BBC — Reform announces Robert Kenyon as candidate
- Byline Times — Kenyon's deleted tweet archives (419 tweets)
- The National — Reform candidate friends with fascist leader
- Reddit — Reform candidate calls abortion "cowardly murder"
- Manchester Evening News — Burnham by-election LIVE
- The Independent — By-election candidates
Jake Austin - Lib Dem Candidate, Makerfield
Jake Austin — Liberal Democrat Candidate, Makerfield By-Election 2026
Last updated: 25 May 2026 By-election date: Thursday 18 June 2026
Bio
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jake Austin |
| Age | ~26 (born c. 2000) |
| Born | Makerfield constituency, Greater Manchester |
| Location | Stockport |
| Occupation | Stockport Councillor |
| Party | Liberal Democrats |
How They Got Selected
Selected as Lib Dem candidate for Makerfield on 22 May 2026. Previously stood against Andy Burnham in the 2024 Greater Manchester Mayoral election (came 6th) and stood in Makerfield in the 2024 general election.
Political History
| Role | Years |
|---|---|
| Stockport Councillor (Cheadle Hulme South) | Elected 2023 |
| Lib Dem candidate for GM Mayor | 2024 (6th place) |
| Lib Dem candidate for Makerfield (GE) | 2024 |
Polling
| Date | Pollster | Austin % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 May | Survation / Sunday Times | 4% | Trailing main contenders |
Key Statements & Quotes
- Highlights his "born and raised in Makerfield" roots in campaign materials
- Campaign focus: local NHS, public transport, clean air, devolution accountability
What It Means
The Lib Dems are a minor force in Makerfield — a historically safe Labour seat in Greater Manchester. Austin's campaign focuses on local issues and offering a centrist alternative, but the race is dominated by the Labour-Reform battle.
Twitter/X Discussion
Source: Nitter search, May 2026
Austin gets relatively little Twitter coverage as the race is dominated by Burnham, Kenyon, and Shepherd. Key mentions:
- Accused of ignoring local concerns: A blog post widely shared by @RestoreBritain_ claimed "Jake Austin, the LibDem candidate in Makerfield, was provided with evidence of appalling LibDem human rights abuses and planning corruption at Stockport. He wasn't bothered." — used as an attack line by right-wing accounts
- Background mention: One tweet listing all candidates included "Jake Austin-Liberal Democrats" as an also-ran, with the Loony Party candidate given the same billing
- Election prediction tweets: Consistently polled at 2-3% in amateur projections, usually mentioned in passing
Reddit Discussion
Austin is barely discussed on Reddit. The Lib Dems are acknowledged as a non-factor in this race — the seat is a Labour-Reform fight. His role as Stockport councillor is occasionally mentioned but without significant comment.
- BBC — Lib Dems announce candidate (Jake Austin)
- Manchester Evening News — Burnham by-election LIVE
- PollCheck — Makerfield By-Election
James Booth - Green Candidate, Makerfield
James Booth — Green Party Candidate, Makerfield By-Election 2026
Last updated: 25 May 2026 By-election date: Thursday 18 June 2026
Bio
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full name | James Booth |
| Occupation | NHS nurse (20+ years) |
| Party | Green Party of England and Wales |
| Constituency | Makerfield |
How They Got Selected
Selected as emergency replacement candidate after original candidate Chris Kennedy withdrew within hours of being selected on 21 May 2026. Kennedy withdrew after antisemitic social media posts resurfaced — he had shared a post calling an attack on Jewish ambulances a "false flag". The BBC reported the Green Party had selected a nurse as the replacement candidate.
Key Context
- The Green Party considered not standing at all in Makerfield to avoid splitting the anti-Reform vote
- Some voices within the party suggested backing Labour's Andy Burnham instead (per FT)
- The decision to stand was made; James Booth was selected as candidate
Polling
| Date | Pollster | Green % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 May | Survation / Sunday Times | 3% | Minor factor in the race |
Twitter/X Discussion
Source: Nitter search, May 2026
Booth himself isn't discussed much — but the Chris Kennedy saga dominates Green-related Twitter discourse:
- Chris Kennedy's 9-hour candidacy: "Less than twelve hours after being announced as the Green candidate in the Makerfield by-election, Chris Kennedy withdrew. The Party said it was for family reasons. It soon transpired that he had posted a conspiracy theory that the ambulance arson in Golders Green had been a 'false flag' operation." — widely shared
- Accusations of antisemitism: "Green Party candidate for Makerfield, Chris Kennedy, pulls out of race after sharing posts describing the ATTACK on Jewish ambulances as a 'false flag'. These remarks are unacceptable! Antisemitism is a common theme with the Gangreens isn't it?" — used by right-wing accounts to attack the Greens
- Conspiracy theory defences: "Green Party punished Chris Kennedy, the ex-candidate for Makerfield by-election. Why? As a registered nurse and a children's safeguarding specialist, he was the perfect candidate. But he criticised Israel. The rest is history." — pro-Palestine accounts defended Kennedy
- "Shortest political career": The joke "Green party candidate for Makerfield by-election withdraws after nine hours — shortest political career ever?" was widely circulated
- Booth as replacement: Coverage of Booth as the replacement is minimal — most tweets focus on the Kennedy fiasco rather than the actual candidate
- Senior Greens urged Burnham support: "Senior Greens 'tell party to make way for Andy Burnham'" was shared by both Greens arguing for tactical voting and by critics mocking the party's indecision
Reddit Discussion
On r/ukpolitics, the Kennedy withdrawal was a major story for a day — described as an "incredible own goal" by the Greens. Some users argued it showed the Greens are "not serious" as a political force. The debate about whether the Greens should stand aside for Labour is regularly revisited.
- BBC — Green Party selects nurse as candidate
- Green Party — Chris Kennedy selection (withdrawn)
- FT — Greens consider helping Labour in Makerfield
- New Statesman — Should the Green Party stand in Makerfield?
Michael Winstanley - Conservative Candidate, Makerfield
Michael Winstanley — Conservative Candidate, Makerfield By-Election 2026
Last updated: 25 May 2026 By-election date: Thursday 18 June 2026
Bio
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full name | Michael Winstanley |
| Party | Conservative |
| Constituency | Makerfield |
| First-time candidate | Likely |
How They Got Selected
Named as Conservative candidate on 20 May 2026. Selected amid questions over Kemi Badenoch's approach to the by-election — the Conservatives have been largely absent from the campaign narrative, with the race dominated by Labour vs Reform.
Polling
| Date | Pollster | Winstanley % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 May | Survation / Sunday Times | 2% | Trailing far behind main contenders |
What It Means
The Conservative vote in Makerfield has collapsed. Once a Labour-Conservative marginal, the party is now a fringe presence — polling at just 2% and being squeezed by both Reform UK (right) and Labour (centre-left). The Tories are effectively spectators in this by-election.
Twitter/X Discussion
Source: Nitter search, May 2026
Winstanley gets modest Twitter coverage, mostly from Wigan locals and Conservative accounts. Key themes:
- Former Mayor of Wigan: "Michael Winstanley, he's a former Mayor of Wigan and a really good candidate to have. Sadly he'll be squeezed out of the picture by a bloke with questions to answer about how he refers to women and a bloke who is only doing this to further his career. It's all so wrong." — a local defending him against the national circus
- Conservative Party promo: Conservative accounts tweet about him positively — "Michael Winstanley, Conservative candidate for the Makerfield by-election, is sending the right message loud and clear — we are the party with the best plans and the serious vision for Britain"
- Squeezed candidate narrative: Widely predicted to come 5th or 6th, with one tweet predicting him to be "ahead of Labour" only as a joke. Multiple tweets question why Tories should even bother: "Shouldn't you as a Conservative be supporting Michael Winstanley?"
- Loony Party comparison: "Do you think that the Tory party in the by election in Makerfield will get more votes than the Monster Raving Loony Party?" — the fact this is a genuine question reflects how far the Tory vote has collapsed
Reddit Discussion
Barely discussed on Reddit. When mentioned, it's usually in the context of how far the Conservatives have fallen in their former heartlands. The "2% polling" figure is cited as evidence of the party's existential crisis in the North.
- BBC — Conservatives name Michael Winstanley
- The Telegraph — Questions over Kemi Badenoch's approach to Makerfield
- PollCheck — Makerfield By-Election
Peter Ward - Rejoin EU Candidate, Makerfield
Peter Ward — Rejoin EU Candidate, Makerfield By-Election 2026
Last updated: 25 May 2026 By-election date: Thursday 18 June 2026
Bio
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full name | Peter Ward |
| Occupation | Barrister (Manchester-based) |
| Party | Rejoin EU |
| Constituency | Makerfield |
How They Got Selected
Announced as Rejoin EU candidate on 24 May 2026. The party said "rejoining the EU has come back into the British political debate in a big way."
About Rejoin EU
Single-issue party founded in 2019, advocating for the UK to rejoin the European Union. Originally led by Brendan Donnelly. Contests by-elections and local elections, usually polling 1-3% in seats they contest. Not to be confused with the Liberal Democrats or Green Party — explicitly a single-issue pro-European vehicle.
What It Means
The Rejoin EU party is a marginal candidate but their presence adds to a crowded field — 8+ candidates confirmed. Every vote that goes to a minor candidate fragments the vote further.
Twitter/X Discussion
Source: Nitter search, May 2026
Ward gets minimal Twitter coverage. Key mentions:
- Announcement coverage: "Barrister Peter Ward will be the Rejoin EU Party Makerfield by-election candidate" — shared by local news accounts and a handful of pro-European accounts
- Minor candidate treatment: Predicted in amateur polling projections at <1%. Generally lumped in with the "fringe" category alongside the Loony Party
- The Rejoin EU angle: Some Remain-leaning accounts share his candidacy as a way to "send a message" but most acknowledge the party has no realistic path to winning
Reddit Discussion
Ward is essentially undiscussed on Reddit. Rejoin EU as a party is acknowledged as a single-issue vehicle with negligible electoral impact. Some pro-European users mention the candidacy in passing but without enthusiasm.
Alan Howlin Laud Hope - Loony Party Candidate, Makerfield
Alan "Howlin" Laud Hope — Official Monster Raving Loony Party Candidate, Makerfield By-Election 2026
Last updated: 25 May 2026 By-election date: Thursday 18 June 2026
Bio
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full name | Alan "Howlin" Laud Hope |
| Party | Official Monster Raving Loony Party |
| Role | Party leader / long-standing candidate |
| Constituency | Makerfield |
Background
Alan "Howlin" Laud Hope is the leader of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party, taking over from the late Screaming Lord Sutch. A perennial candidate who has stood in numerous elections across the UK, known for his eccentric platform and satirical policies.
What It Means
The Loony Party is a traditional fixture at by-elections, providing satirical commentary on the political process. Their vote share is typically negligible but they add to the colourful nature of the campaign.
Twitter/X Discussion
Source: Nitter search, May 2026
Howlin' Laud Hope generates more Twitter buzz than several serious candidates. Key themes:
- Loony beating the Tories: The most shared narrative is "Do you think that the Tory party in the by election in Makerfield will get more votes than the Monster Raving Loony Party?" — reflecting the Tory collapse and the joke that the Loony Party might out-poll them
- Polling predictions include him seriously: Multiple amateur poll projection tweets include the Loony Party at 1% — treated with the same seriousness as the Lib Dems and Greens
- "Everyone should vote Loony": "Everyone should vote for The Monster Raving Loony Party in Makerfield and really stick 2 fingers up to the political class" — some users propose a protest vote
- Listed alongside mainstream candidates: "Hopefully the result at Makerfield it will be 1 Robert Kenyon-Reform, 2 Rebecca Shepherd-Restore, with every other candidate (Jake Austin-Liberal Democrats, Michael Winstanley-Conservative Party, Alan 'Howlin' Laud Hope-Official Monster Raving Loony Party) ahead of Labour" — treated as a genuine list
Reddit Discussion
The Loony Party candidacy is mentioned on Reddit primarily as a punchline about the state of British politics — the fact that the Monster Raving Loony Party being taken seriously as a potential vote-getter says everything about the 2026 political landscape.