A candidate in the Makerfield by-election for Reform Party is facing criticism for allegedly misrepresenting his upbringing. Despite claims by the party that he was “born and bred” in the constituency, it has been revealed that Robert Kenyon actually grew up and attended primary school in Merseyside.
Records from the electoral roll discovered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service show that Kenyon was registered to vote at his family home in Haydock, located in the St Helens North constituency, between 2006 and 2014. This contradicts the narrative presented by the party.
The outgoing Makerfield MP, Josh Simons, who recently announced his resignation to make way for Andy Burnham, expressed his lack of trust in Kenyon, labeling him as unreliable and deceptive. Simons criticized Kenyon for not attending a recent council meeting, questioning his commitment to the constituency.
Kenyon, a Wigan Council councillor, did not show up at the council meeting, prompting further skepticism about his dedication to the role. Allegations of Kenyon’s past social media comments, including inappropriate remarks about public figures like Carol Vorderman, have also stirred controversy.
Despite campaign literature stating that Kenyon was “born and bred in Makerfield,” a former neighbor revealed that he actually grew up in Haydock. The neighbor emphasized that while moving to a new area is acceptable, misrepresenting one’s origins is misleading.
In response to the backlash, a spokesman for Reform UK defended Kenyon, asserting that he was born and schooled in Makerfield, attended a local high school, and has been a resident for over a decade. The party argued that Kenyon’s ties to the area are substantial, despite the criticisms raised against him.
Addressing the social media controversy, Kenyon admitted to making mistakes in the past and expressed regret over his comments. He clarified that his remarks were intended as a joke and not meant to cause offense. When asked about apologizing directly to Vorderman, Kenyon maintained that he had already addressed the issue and that his comments were not directed at her.
The ongoing scrutiny surrounding Kenyon’s background and past statements continues to impact his candidacy in the Makerfield by-election.