Story perspectives

Reform UK Leads Makerfield By-Election Race, Farage Backs Kenyon

6/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

Robert Kenyon, an army reservist and Reform UK candidate, is campaigning in Makerfield with Nigel Farage’s support.
The Makerfield by-election on 18 June 2026 pits Andy Burnham against Kenyon, with Burnham saying a win would let him re-enter Parliament and challenge Keir Starmer.
Betting markets give Reform UK a three-in-four chance after it captured roughly 50 % of local-council votes, with Restore Britain polling at about 7 % and potentially siphoning Reform UK support.

History

Historical Context

After UKIP’s 27.5 % surge in the 2014 European elections, pressure on David Cameron led to the 23 June 2016 EU referendum, where Leave won 51.9 % and UKIP captured 12.6 % of the vote. That breakthrough propelled Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, now commanding about half of local-council votes in Makerfield, challenging Labour’s Andy Burnham in the upcoming parliamentary contest.

1 of 2

Story summary

Robert Kenyon, an army reservist and Reform UK candidate, is campaigning in Makerfield with Nigel Farage’s support.
The Makerfield by-election on 18 June 2026 pits Andy Burnham against Kenyon, with Burnham saying a win would let him re-enter Parliament and challenge Keir Starmer.
Betting markets give Reform UK a three-in-four chance after it captured roughly 50 % of local-council votes, with Restore Britain polling at about 7 % and potentially siphoning Reform UK support.

1 / 2