u/Sylvia-Sum

"The new figures published on Thursday on net immigration and asylum claims – showing both are falling – are being used by Sir Keir Starmer to prove he’s turning things around and delivering for Britain. However, those who believe these figures will somehow help save Starmer or doom Nigel Farage are engaging in wishful thinking."

It is vital for Robert Kenyon to win in Makefield:

• for Reform UK party to prove that "nothing and no one can stop the haemorrhaging of Labour voters". (A Burnham win will show that "the bleeding of Labour voters to Reform is not inevitable".)
• for everyone of us "who fear what a revived Labour government will do to the country".

"Imagine waking up on a Friday morning to find that Labour has won by a narrow margin – a margin less than the vote secured by Restore."

"Burnham would become PM, and the country would be plunged Leftwards by a government made possible only by a few people choosing to vote for a party that is, in the wider scheme of things, little more than a vanity project for Rupert Lowe, who thinks Reform is not Right-wing enough."

• "I left the government because we are in the fight of our lives against nationalism, and it is a fight that we are currently losing. Unless we change course, we risk handing the keys of No 10 to Reform."
• "Reform UK represent a threat to the values and ideals that have made this country great. But nationalism is not progressive, and nationalism and patriotism are not the same things."
• "Nationalism says look inward, protect your own, turn away from the others. Patriotism says this country is strongest when we are confident enough to be outward looking, generous and united."
• "To win the battle of progressive against reactionary, of patriots versus nationalists, of hope over hate, that is our [Labour] fight."

Lee tells it like it is:

• "Lot over here, they'd all be looking for jobs, but of course most of them are unemployable now,, unless they fancy a job at the bakery store."
• "Because, let's face it, all they been doing over the last 18 months was taking money from people's pockets, it's absolutely a disgraceful."
• "They will not be forgiven, mark my words. Just imagine their next job interview in 2-3 years time and the interviewer asks 'what have you been doing over past years'...
• "They worked for an awful dictator. Under his leadership our illegal migration is out of control, the streets are filling up with criminals and living vermin and rubbish as well, we've got rats the size of small dogs roaming around Birmingham, feasting on tons of rubbish."
• "They closed pubs and restaurants with hundred of thousand people who work in the hospitality industry on the doll."

• (Have added the Conservative by-election candidate as a comment to this post!)

Guido Fawkes:

• "The game is on. Reform selected Robert Kenyon as its candidate yesterday."
• "Already his launch video has more views than Burnham’s."
• "A Reform source tells Guido 'he’s got Oasis, we’ve got Rob on the tools'…"

Hello from Robert Kenyon: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/g_H4B2Xt0Gg

As from today, Lee Anderson is the new party Chairman, adding the role of chairman to his portfolio of positions.

Lee told Spectator: "Reform UK is giving a voice to millions of hardworking people who feel ignored by the political establishment. We will continue fighting for common sense policies, secure borders, lower taxis and a government that puts the British people first."

In an official party press release, it is claimed David Bull is moving on to focus on standing at another by-election anticipated by Reform (other than any currently known by-elections or for the Manchester mayoralty).

Lee told GB News this afternoon (May 18th) that the party's Makerfield candidate will be announced in the next 24 hours.

A local store owner, Rebecca Shepherd. She owns 'Pony and Horse' in Wigan, selling equestrian equipment and apparel for horses. It is known that Rupert Lowe is the landlord of a farm, which is rented out to a racehorse training center.

Kate Hoey on Restore standing a candidate: "A decision Rupert will live to regret as will his Party!"

"This is unacceptable political interference from a big tech company."

From Express:

• "The Reform UK leader branded the Mayor of Greater Manchester 'open-borders Burnham', adding people 'deserve honesty' in the upcoming Makerfield by-election."
• "Nigel Farage has warned Andy Burnham will tell voters one thing and Labour MPs another as he positions himself for power."

Reform UK on X:

• "The Conservatives are finished and in denial about their terrible election result. Only Reform UK can get Labour out and begin to turn our country around."

From Observer:

• "Parties can bypass spending limits by campaigning on national rather than local issues – something Nigel Farage’s party has exploited to great effect. Labour have 'grave concerns' about Reform using this approach in the by-election, expecting to push expense limit much more heavily than other parties as they have a lot of cash and it’s a big contest."

Irish Taoiseach:

• "Ireland is planning for possibility Nigel Farage will become British prime minister. If Nigel Farage becomes prime minister, Ireland will engage, but obviously his policies are completely at variance with ours in terms of the European Union."

A by-election for the UK parliamentary constituency of Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine in Scotland is expected to be held in 2026 following the election of incumbent SNP MP Stephen Flynn to the Scottish Parliament. He resigned his House of Commons position on 14 May.

Jacob Rees-Mogg is suggesting that Reform should help Conservatives win Aberdeen South from SNP and they'll help Reform win in Makerfield. What do you think?

Note: Have corrected the constituency name.