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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

SourcesTwitter/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.

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