A self-employed plumber from Wigan is set to be the main obstacle standing between Andy Burnham and a seat in Parliament – and a tilt at the Labour leadership.
Robert Kenyon, 41, has been selected as Reform UK’s candidate for the Makerfield by-election, which was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Josh Simons to allow Burnham to contest the seat.
If Burnham wins, he is widely expected to mount a challenge against Sir Keir Starmer. But Reform’s candidate hopes to stand in the way.
Shorts
Kenyon, a plumber and gas engineer who has also worked as a specialist technician for the NHS in Lancashire and served as an Army reservist, has framed himself as the local candidate going up against the Westminster establishment.
