Campaigning has taken place over the weekend in Makerfield (Image: Getty Images)
Rejoin EU has announced a candidate for the Makerfield by-election, bring the total number of confirmed candidates to seven.
It comes after former Makerfield MP Josh Simons, who was elected in 2024, announced on May 14 that he would be stepping down to allow the Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham a chance to return to the Westminster and potentially position himself for a future challenge to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Campaigning has now begun in the Makerfield constituency, with seven candidates confirmed by different parties. Andy Burnham is vying for the spot for Labour, while Jake Austin is representing the Liberal Democrats, Rob Kenyon for Reform UK and Rebecca Shepherd for Restore UK among others.
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The Green Party’s candidate for the Makerfield by-election was withdrawn just hours after it was announced he would be standing. The party said Chris Kennedy, a registered nurse and children’s safeguarding specialist, was standing down for ‘personal and family reasons’.
His candidacy was only confirmed on Thursday morning, May 21, with an announcement posted to X, formerly Twitter, at 8.20am. News Mr Kennedy was standing down came hours later, with an email from the party timed at 4.42pm. As a result, the party said its nominations process would now open again.
On Saturday, May 23, Rejoin EU announced that Peter Ward will be their candidate for next month’s by-election in Makerfield.
Peter Ward has been announced as Rejoin EU’s Makerfield candidate(Image: Who Can I Vote For)
A statement posted on Who Can I Vote For? reads: “Peter has lived and worked in Ealing & Southall for 30 years now. After graduating with a double-first class degree in law at University of West London, he is now a barrister specialising in human rights law.
“A well-known local campaigner, Peter has successfully stopped excessive developments while providing good homes for everyone. You may recall Peter standing in previous elections for the Green, Renew and Labour Parties where he has always done well.”
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Rejoin EU wrote: “Brexit Promised Everything Delivered Nothing That’s why we are standing in Makerfield #makerfield Time To Rejoin.”
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Here is a full list of the confirmed candidates for the Makerfield by-election, which is set to take place on Thursday, June 18.
Full list of confirmed candidates for Makerfield by-election
- Jake Austin – Liberal Democrats
- Andy Burnham – Labour and Co-operative Party
- Alan Howling ‘Laud’ Hope – Official Monster Raving Loony Party
- Robert Francis Kenyon – Reform UK
- Rebecca Shepherd – Restore UK
- Michael William Winstanley – Conservative and Unionist Party
- Peter Mark Ward – Rejoin UK