PersonGB
Rebecca Shepherd
Restore Britain's candidate in the Makerfield by-election on 18 June 2026, polling 7% in the Survation survey.
Last refreshed: 28 July 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Key Question
Could Restore Britain's Makerfield candidate cost Reform UK a winnable seat?
Timeline for Rebecca Shepherd
#10 22 May
Polled 7% in Survation, above Restore Britain's 4% national average, splitting the populist-right vote
UK Local Elections 2026: Right split may hand Burnham MakerfieldBackground
Rebecca Shepherd is a political candidate standing for Restore Britain in the Makerfield by-election on 18 June 2026.
Shepherd polled 7% in a Survation survey (18 to 22 May 2026) in the Makerfield by-election, above Restore Britain's approximately 4% national average and the party's highest individual constituency figure. Her presence is significant for vote-splitting analysis: if most of her 7% would otherwise back Reform UK's Robert Kenyon, it could tip the seat to Labour's Andy Burnham.
Common Questions
Who is Rebecca Shepherd in the Makerfield by-election?
Rebecca Shepherd is Restore Britain's candidate in the Makerfield by-election on 18 June 2026. A Survation poll in May 2026 put her on 7%, above Restore Britain's 4% national average.Source: Survation poll 18-22 May 2026
How much of the vote is Restore Britain expected to get in Makerfield?
A Survation poll taken 18 to 22 May 2026 put Restore Britain's Rebecca Shepherd on 7% in Makerfield, compared with the party's approximately 4% national polling average.Source: Survation poll 18-22 May 2026
Why does Restore Britain's candidate matter in Makerfield?
Under first-past-the-post, if most of Restore Britain's 7% would otherwise support Reform UK's Robert Kenyon, it could convert a Reform near-miss into a Labour win for Andy Burnham, who needs the seat to re-enter Parliament.Source: Survation poll analysis
How the World Sees Them
Reform UK
a flagrantly partisan attempt to kneecap Reform UK
Ian Davidson, Acting Returning Officer for Clacton
is expected to cost around four times as much as a more typical ballot paper for a by-election of this kind
Sinn Féin
no intent, plan or otherwise
Scottish Labour
This 'contest' reeks of misogyny and male entitlement.
Democratic Unionist Party
goaded
Scottish National Party
the most undemocratic trick in the Westminster book
MHCLG / Steve Reed
further time is required as it is vital that we get these decisions right
Local Government Association / litigating councils
simply not deliverable
Local Government Association
significant risks to statutory services