The Reform UK party has officially unveiled former Army reservist Robert Kenyon as its candidate to contest the highly anticipated Makerfield by-election on June 18, setting up a high-stakes political showdown against the newly confirmed Labour nominee and Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.
The crucial vote was formally triggered in Westminster after Labour MP Josh Simons vacated the seat just two years into his term to allow Burnham a pathway back into Parliament.
This dramatic electoral battle comes at a time of profound crisis for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, whose premiership has been thrown into chaos following a series of devastating local election results and a cabinet rebellion that saw Wes Streeting resign as health secretary.
A battle of political titans
The upcoming poll is being framed by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage as a classic ‘David versus Goliath’ battle. Kenyon, a self-employed plumber and former NHS specialist technician who previously stood for the party in the 2024 general election, has vowed to be a genuine local voice, pointing out that Makerfield has never been represented by an MP born within the constituency.
Conversely, allies of Burnham view this contest as a vital stepping stone for the mayor to launch a subsequent leadership challenge against Sir Keir Starmer. The National Executive Committee controversially shortlisted Burnham as the sole Labour candidate, a sharp reversal from February when party leadership successfully blocked him from contesting the Gorton and Denton by-election.
Financial backing and leadership ambitions
As Westminster braces for the outcome, Burnham has rapidly built up his campaign war chest, securing £20,000 in trade union donations between March 24 and April 24.
This financial boost includes £10,000 from the Fire Brigades Union and £5,000 from the Communication Workers Union, signaling a major shift in institutional support away from the current Prime Minister.
Prominent union figures, including TUC general secretary Paul Nowak, have openly expressed their deep frustration with Sir Keir’s administration, citing stagnant economic growth and the fallout from the Lord Mandelson documentation scandal.
Burnham has already begun laying the groundwork for a potential future government, reportedly seeking transition advice from Sir Keir’s former Downing Street chief of staff, Sue Gray.
The tech billionaire intervention
The electoral dynamics in Makerfield have been further complicated by a sudden intervention from tech billionaire Elon Musk.
Musk took to the social media platform X to endorse Restore Britain, a rival right-wing breakaway party founded by Rupert Lowe following his suspension from Reform UK last year.
A recent Survation opinion poll of 369 likely voters indicates that this endorsement could severely fracture the right-wing vote. The poll places Mr Burnham narrowly ahead with 43 per cent, followed closely by Reform’s Kenyon on 40 per cent, whilst Restore Britain holds a crucial 7 per cent that could ultimately decide the election.
Farage has fiercely criticised the Tesla boss, warning that the endorsement risks splitting the right- wing electorate and inadvertently handing a vital victory to the Labour Party.