Labour has condemned the "serious and deeply troubling allegations" surrounding the online activity of Reform UK’s candidate in the Makerfield by-election. According to the campaigning group Searchlight, Robert Kenyon was connected on Facebook to Gary Raikes, a known fascist campaigner, on a profile that has since been deleted. Reform UK has not contested this specific claim.

Compounding the controversy, Kenyon’s X account was suspended in 2024. The party has provided no justification for the termination. Regarding his Facebook presence, Reform states that the page was removed following Kenyon’s election as a local councillor earlier this month. They argue that the account was standard and that maintaining a public profile was appropriate once he assumed public office. The party maintains that Kenyon had no direct contact with Raikes and asserts that a Facebook friendship "does not constitute an endorsement of his views."

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage defended his candidate on Wednesday, stating: "When he [Kenyon] campaigned here at the general election, hundreds of people joined as friends, and one of them turned out to be unsavoury. I am utterly confident that in Rob, we've got somebody who's done his bit for his country, done his bit for himself, does his bit for the community."

A Labour spokesperson responded sharply, stating: "These are serious and deeply troubling allegations. Nigel Farage needs to urgently come clean on whether Reform were aware of his candidate's apparent fascist friends. Robert Kenyon must also explain himself to those he is seeking to represent. What is his relationship with this man? Voters in Makerfield and across Britain deserve an answer."

Meanwhile, the Green Party of England and Wales is scheduled to announce its candidate on Wednesday. Although some on the left explored the possibility of a deal where the Greens would withdraw to support Labour, there was no interest in such an arrangement. The Greens view themselves as a left-wing alternative to Labour nationwide and believe that not standing would undermine that positioning. However, uncertainty remains regarding the level of effort they will投入 into the campaign.

Adrian Ramsay, former co-leader of the Green Party in England and Wales, took to social media to suggest that "progressive parties need to recognise that the big threat to the country is a Reform-led govt. And in my view avoiding that will involve some give and take from everyone. Burnham must clearly set out his position on a fair voting system."

Additionally, Restore Britain has already chosen a candidate, a move that could potentially erode some support for Reform UK. The current lineup of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election includes those mentioned above.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-05-20 18:12:55 UTC