RAYNER CONDEMNS REFORM UK CANDIDATE AHEAD OF MAKERFIELD BY-ELECTION

Angela Rayner has urged voters to support Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election. She described Robert Kenyon, Reform UK's candidate, as "Nigel Farage's sexist puppet". Rayner's comments follow the emergence of deleted online posts attributed to Kenyon that made disparaging remarks about women.

Kenyon faced criticism over social media comments spanning years, including suggestions that women cannot referee, drive or give directions. Further posts linked to accounts associated with Kenyon objectified European women and criticised English women's appearances. Kenyon has declined to apologise, stating the comments were made 15 years ago and taken out of context. Reform UK characterised the posts as "locker room banter".

Recent polling indicates Burnham holds a narrow five-point lead over Kenyon, though this margin falls within the standard error of polling. The by-election is expected to be closely contested. Rayner has previously stated that time is running out for Labour to reverse its political fortunes, describing the by-election as significant in the party's prospects.