Reform UK’s candidate, dubbed the “sexist plumber,” faces backlash for his refusal to apologize for derogatory comments about women, including a distasteful slur directed at Carol Vorderman. The contentious exchange took place during a BBC Question Time session, where an audience member criticized Robert Kenyon for his alleged sexist behavior, preferring a career politician over a plumber with such views. The event, held ahead of the Makerfield by-election, also saw Labour’s Andy Burnham hinting at a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer.
During the discussion, Kenyon failed to address Nigel Farage’s undisclosed £5 million donation from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne before his parliamentary tenure. The panel of candidates was also pressed on issues like ‘two-tier policing’ and Farage’s controversial remarks following Henry Nowak’s tragic death. Burnham highlighted the repercussions of divisive rhetoric, citing incidents of violence in Southampton involving law enforcement officers.
Kenyon faced further criticism for his unapologetic stance on his past sexist remarks, especially concerning Carol Vorderman. Despite pleas from Green Party candidate Sarah Wakefield and audience members, Kenyon stood by his decision not to apologize, denying the sexist label attributed to him. Wakefield even shared Vorderman’s distress over the lack of an apology from Kenyon.
In response, Kenyon defended himself, emphasizing his upbringing by strong women and expressing respect for women. However, he admitted to past mistakes and controversial comments, including his agreement with inappropriate social media posts targeting Vorderman. Despite the pressure to apologize, Kenyon maintained his position, stating that the comments were misconstrued.
The political landscape further heated up as Burnham signaled his intention to return to Parliament and potentially challenge Starmer for leadership. The by-election was triggered by Labour MP Josh Simons stepping down, with Reform UK gaining ground in local elections. Burnham emphasized the need for political reform and restoring public trust in the system, aligning his campaign with community values.
The event also saw discussions on policing, with contrasting views on the effectiveness of law enforcement systems. Both Burnham and Kenyon shared differing perspectives, highlighting the wider debate on national policing standards. The controversy surrounding Farage’s remarks and Reform UK’s financial ties added fuel to the already intense political showdown.