Background

Robert Kenyon, standing as Rob Kenyon, was the Reform UK candidate in the Makerfield by-election on 18 June 2026. He lost to Labour's Andy Burnham, taking 34.5 per cent of the vote (up from Reform's 31.8 per cent at the 2024 general election) against Burnham's 24,927 votes and 54.8 per cent share, a 9,231-vote Labour majority.

Kenyon was confirmed as the Reform candidate following Labour's National Executive Committee approval of Burnham's candidacy on 15 May 2026 . The seat was previously Labour by 5,399 votes in 2024, with Reform in second place.

Despite Reform's own vote share rising against 2024, Kenyon's defeat by a wider margin than the 2024 baseline undercut the narrative that Reform's council-election momentum was translating into parliamentary breakthroughs in Labour heartlands, a question his result answered in the negative for this cycle.

Common Questions

Who is standing for Reform UK in the Makerfield by-election?

Robert Kenyon is the Reform UK candidate for the Makerfield by-election on 18 June 2026, standing against Labour's Andy Burnham. Reform won 31.8% of the Makerfield vote in 2024.Source: event

What is the Makerfield by-election and why does it matter?

The Makerfield by-election on 18 June 2026 was triggered when Josh Simons resigned to create a vacancy for Andy Burnham. Burnham needs the seat to enter a Labour leadership contest. Robert Kenyon is Reform UK's candidate.Source: event

Can Reform UK win the Makerfield by-election?

Reform was second in Makerfield at the 2024 general election with 31.8% of the vote and a deficit of 5,399 votes. The by-election will be the first test of whether Reform's May 2026 council momentum translates to parliamentary contests.Source: event

How did Robert Kenyon do in the Makerfield by-election?

Reform UK's Rob Kenyon took 34.5% of the vote on 18 June 2026, up from 31.8% in 2024, but still lost to Labour's Andy Burnham by a 9,231-vote majority.Source: event

Did Reform UK's vote share rise in Makerfield even though Kenyon lost?

Yes, Kenyon's 34.5% was up from Reform's 31.8% at the 2024 general election, but Labour's Andy Burnham rose faster, to 54.8%, widening rather than narrowing the majority.Source: event

Source Material

Makerfield constituency

How the World Sees Them

Labour

The Makerfield contest is the first parliamentary test of whether Burnham can win a seat, unblocking his leadership candidacy; Reform's performance will set the swing benchmark for 2028-29 planning.

Reform UK

Kenyon's result will test whether Reform's May 2026 council momentum converts to Westminster by-elections; a strong showing validates the councillor-to-candidate pipeline strategy.