Lead
A week of internal strife and public controversy has upended the political landscape in Greater Manchester ahead of the June 18 Makerfield byelection, with Reform UK and the breakaway Restore Britain party engaging in a public feud that analysts say could benefit Labour's candidate, Andy Burnham.
The discord escalated over the weekend when billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk appeared to endorse Restore Britain, reposting a tweet from party leader Rupert Lowe with the caption 'Restore Britain' on his X platform. The move prompted Nigel Farage, Reform UK's leader, to accuse Musk of attempting to 'split the right of British politics as best he can.'
Meanwhile, Reform UK's candidate, Robert Kenyon, a local plumber and Wigan councillor, has faced criticism over a series of controversial social media posts, including derogatory remarks about broadcaster Carol Vorderman, which he has since deleted. Vorderman has publicly demanded an apology, describing Kenyon as a 'cowardly man.'
Restore Britain, founded by Lowe after his acrimonious departure from Reform UK, is fielding Rebecca Shepherd in the byelection. Polling suggests the party may be siphoning crucial right-of-centre votes away from Reform in what is anticipated to be a close contest.
Coverage Comparison
Multiple reports from The Guardian provide comprehensive coverage of the unfolding situation, tracing the origins of the feud, the emergence of Kenyon's past statements, and the potential electoral consequences. The reports largely agree on the core facts: Musk's endorsement, the poll numbers, and the nature of Kenyon's deleted posts. However, the framing varies across articles, with some emphasizing the internal party squabbling and others focusing on the controversies surrounding Kenyon's personal views.
Key Claims
- Elon Musk's Endorsement: Musk appeared to publicly back Restore Britain by reposting a tweet from Rupert Lowe with the message 'Restore Britain.' This was reported by multiple sources, including The Guardian.
- Poll Numbers: A Survation poll of 369 respondents showed Restore Britain with 7% support, Reform UK with 40%, and Labour's Andy Burnham with 43%. The poll was widely cited across reports.
- Kenyon's Deleted Posts: Robert Kenyon deleted social media posts in which he endorsed crude comments about Carol Vorderman. The deletion, confirmed by multiple reports, has fueled criticism from Vorderman and others.
- Kenyon's Stance on Brexit: In posts from a now-defunct rugby league forum, Kenyon criticized Brexit as 'economically self-harming' and described it as a project promoted by politicians who 'peddled the nationalistic pish.' These posts were surfaced by the Telegraph and reported by The Guardian.
- Kenyon's Views on Covid and Vaccines: Archived social media posts show Kenyon expressing skepticism about the seriousness of Covid and the efficacy of vaccines, including telling people to 'stop having boosters' and questioning the motives behind vaccination campaigns.
- Restore Britain's Policies: Rupert Lowe's party advocates for 'remigration', a policy involving the deportation of foreign-born legal residents who live in social housing or receive benefits, according to covered reports.
Perspectives
The developments in Makerfield are viewed from several angles:
- Reform UK's Defense: Party representatives, including MP Danny Kruger, have defended Kenyon, arguing that his comments were made before he became a politician and were not deemed serious enough to withdraw his candidacy. They suggest critics are using his past statements to attack the party.
- Restore Britain's Offensive: Rupert Lowe has portrayed his party as a more authentic alternative to Reform UK, leveraging social media attention and courting right-leaning voters with policies like 'remigration.'
- Labour's Optimism: Labour sources have expressed cautious optimism that the split on the right could help Andy Burnham secure victory, though the race remains tight with only a small polling lead.
- Critics' Concerns: Carol Vorderman and other critics have condemned Kenyon's comments as misogynistic and inappropriate, questioning his fitness for public office despite Reform UK's support.