Full Breakdown
Reform UK Councillor’s Photo with Jimmy Savile Sign Fuels Controversy Ahead of Makerfield By-Election
6/20/2026, 2:29:02 AM
Incident Overview
During the final days of the Makerfield parliamentary by-election campaign, Reform UK councillor Lilian Rogers posed for a photograph beside a resident holding a homemade sign that read, “I would rather vote for Jimmy Savile than Labour.” The image, captured after a long canvassing day, spread rapidly on social media, prompting a surge of complaints to Wigan Council. The sign invoked Jimmy Savile, a presenter and DJ later identified as a prolific sexual abuser after his 2011 death.
Background & Context
Jimmy Savile, a presenter and DJ, was posthumously revealed as one of the UK’s most prolific sexual abusers, with hundreds of police investigations after his 2011 death. The Makerfield by-election, held on a Friday, pitted Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon against Andy Burnham, who secured a decisive victory.
Official Statements & Responses
Rogers issued a Facebook apology, condemning the sign as “utterly indefensible” and acknowledging she “completely failed to realise its sickening implications.” Labour councillor Paul Blay described the incident as “absolutely disgusted” and “the lowest of the low,” asserting it reflected poorly on Reform UK. A Wigan Council spokesperson confirmed that the complaints would be examined under the council’s mandatory Code of Conduct.
Criticism & Opposition
Blay emphasized the sign’s meaning, stating “It’s pretty clear what it meant,” and questioned the moral judgment of anyone posing with it. He linked the controversy to voter sentiment, suggesting it “played a part” in the Labour landslide and Reform UK’s “brutal loss.” The episode provoked anger among local residents, many of whom expressed disappointment with the Reform campaign.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Social-media users circulated an AI-generated image that replaces the Savile sign with standard Reform campaign material, claiming the original photo was fabricated. Neither Reform UK nor Rogers responded to requests for clarification, and the council has not disclosed the precise number of complaints received.
Why It Matters
Public backlash generated criticism of Reform UK and may have swayed voter perceptions in a tightly contested by-election, illustrating how campaign missteps can affect electoral outcomes.
What’s Next
Wigan Council will process the complaints under its Code of Conduct, potentially leading to disciplinary action against Rogers. Reform UK has not issued further comment, leaving the party’s internal response unresolved.
Verbatim Quotes
- “ “While I saw the sign at the time, I want to be absolutely clear: I completely failed to realise its sickening implications or context.” — Lilian Rogers, Councillor
- “absolutely disgusted” — Paul Blay, Labour Councillor
- “the lowest of the low” — Paul Blay, Labour Councillor
- “ A Wigan Council spokesperson said: “We have received a significant number of complaints in relation to this matter.” — Wigan Council spokesperson
