As the Makerfield campaign enters its final stretch, Reform leader Nigel Farage was asked about whether Restore could be a problem for his party
As the Makerfield campaign enters its final stretch, Reform leader Nigel Farage was asked about whether Restore could be a problem for his partyReform UK Leader Nigel Farage speaks at a press conference for the Reform candidate Robert Kenyon ahead of the Makerfield by-election in Ashton-in-MakerfieldReform leader Nigel Farage has taken a swipe at fellow right-wing party Restore over speculation the rival could cause his party to lose toin the upcoming Makerfield by-election.
Mr Farage said Restore's support was overblown but 'has the potential to be unhelpful'. The hotly-contested by election is entering its final stretch as voters prepare to go to the polls on June 18. 14 candidates are in the running but polls suggest the race will be betweenIn his fourth visit to the constituency, Reform’s leader Nigel Farage said the party was gaining momentum, telling reporters and local supporters: “There is no doubt in my mind this is close.
There’s no doubt in anybody’s mind it is a two horse race. ” Despite the criticism over his past social media comments, Mr Kenyon told the Manchester Evening News: “I don’t feel the pressure. Pressure is running a business and worrying about the work in to feed your family and keep a roof over your head.
“Pressure isn’t posting leaflets through doors and having the press say nasty things about you. That’s not pressure. That’s just nastiness. ”He argued it had not clouded Reform’s message in the campaign, adding: “The voters aren’t bringing it up on the doorstep.
It’s just the press who is bringing it up.
“When we are knocking on doors, the only time it’s ever been brought up is when people are saying ‘take no notice, they are just trying to smear you’. If they are going to attack you personally, it means they can’t attack your policies. ” At an event earlier in the day Mr Farage announced a new Reform policy to increase the threshold small businesses pay VAT to £150,000.
He said this would cost £2bn but would be covered by an increase in productivity and boost small businesses which he said was the backbone of the economy. Taking questions from the press, the party leader also hit back at the continued criticism over Mr Kenyon’s past comments. Responding to the Manchester Evening News, Mr Farage said: “I tell you what they are the kind of comments you will hear in every pub in the country every evening.
“We should be unapologetic that Rob is an ordinary bloke who’s carved quite a career for himself, had the guts to set up a business, served as an army reservist, is a patriot, likes his rugby, likes the odd pint, and said a few laddish things on social media 10 years ago. “Do you know what I’d say to that? I’d say so what?
What about all those politicians at local and national level in the north of England that covered up the grooming gang scandal at exactly the same time? Which of those is more serious? ”for the latest news. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our One possible dark horse that could ruin Reform’s chances of winning is whether Restore’s candidate Rebecca Shepherd could take away support.
At the event, Mr Farage suggested the Reform campaign was being pushed on social media by X owner Elon Musk but in the short term, Restore ‘has the potential to be unhelpful’ but he does not ‘believe it will last’. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News afterwards, Mr Farage said Restore’s support was overblown as ‘it’s a great media story’, adding: “Of all the people I have met this morning, maybe one who said I am not going to vote Labour or I haven’t decided yet.
He didn’t mention them.
“They’ve got some votes out there but I don’t believe it’s particularly huge because I think the logic of if you want to beat Labour, you have to vote for us is getting through. ”machine is still quite big in this part of England’ and Mr Burnham’s position as Mayor of Greater Manchester. He said: “Our vote from May 7 is still rock solid strong I have no doubt about that at all.
The question is do people who declined to vote on that day or voted Labour in 2024 but are disappointed with them, do they go out to vote in big numbers or not? That’s the big question around this whole election. ”Defending Mr Kenyon, Mr Farage said: “My message is very simple.
It’s this candidate is not using this as a stepping stone, this candidate is a local lad in every way who represented trades and skills, who represents business, who represents family.
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