A candidate from Reform UK in the Makerfield constituency is under scrutiny for alleged concerning activities on his social media accounts. Robert Kenyon, who was chosen as the party’s candidate for the upcoming by-election, is facing accusations of having connections with a known fascist activist, Gary Raikes, on Facebook. The campaign group Searchlight raised these claims, stating that Kenyon’s Facebook friendship with Raikes was on a now-deleted page.
Furthermore, there are additional concerns regarding Kenyon’s past presence on Twitter, as his account was apparently terminated in 2024. In response to the removal of his Facebook page, Reform party explained that it was a decision made to establish a more public profile for Kenyon after he became a councilor following the recent local elections.
Reform UK defended Kenyon, emphasizing that merely being friends with someone on Facebook does not signify an endorsement of their views. However, the Labour Party expressed deep unease over the allegations and urged Kenyon to clarify the situation to the Makerfield community. The party demanded transparency from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK regarding their awareness of Kenyon’s associations.
The Makerfield by-election is set for June 18, confirmed by Wigan council. The Conservative Party nominated former Wigan mayor Michael Winstanley as their candidate, while the Green Party introduced nurse and children’s safeguarding specialist Chris Kennedy as their representative. The Greens praised Kennedy as a strong contender for the election.
Reform UK has faced criticism over the social media behavior of some of its members. One campaigner was suspended for alleged racist remarks, including derogatory comments about Jewish women. The party faced further scrutiny for the suspension of Adam Mitula in February due to racist messages uncovered by anti-racism group Hope Not Hate.
In response to Reform’s actions, a Labour Campaign spokesperson condemned the party for exacerbating divides in communities and called for clarity on Mitula’s status within the party. Mitula had been suspended earlier, with Reform stating that they maintain confidentiality regarding disciplinary matters.
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