A candidate from the Reform Party who is running in a by-election has faced criticism for expressing anti-abortion sentiments and making derogatory comments about women’s driving abilities.
Robert Kenyon, the candidate in question, is under scrutiny for alleged remarks attributed to him on rugby league forums, where he reportedly suggested that women undergo abortions for superficial reasons. These accusations have put pressure on Nigel Farage’s party to reconsider Kenyon’s candidacy as he competes against Andy Burnham for the Makerfield seat.
The controversial statements were supposedly posted on a rugby league forum by a user named ‘post,’ who claimed to be associated with the Twitter handle @robkenyon1 and endorsed Kenyon’s book, The Blood Waltz.
In one tweet, the ‘post’ account implied that women trivialize the decision to have an abortion, emphasizing that it essentially entails terminating a baby in the womb. Another post insinuated that many abortions are carried out for cosmetic reasons rather than genuine necessities.
Moreover, Kenyon, or the now-deleted robkenyon1 account on Twitter, allegedly asserted that life begins at conception, labeling abortion as a cowardly act of killing an innocent unborn child while advocating the use of contraception as an alternative.
Additional reports suggest that Kenyon made disparaging comments about English women’s appearance in the past, claiming they exhibit carelessness regarding their looks and abilities. He allegedly expressed sexist views and made objectifying remarks about European women’s physical attributes.
Furthermore, Kenyon reportedly made inappropriate comments about TV personality Carol Vorderman on a deleted account, prompting Vorderman to demand an apology from the Reform Party’s candidate for the by-election.
Labour party chair Anna Turley condemned Kenyon’s remarks, highlighting the significance of the upcoming election and contrasting Kenyon’s controversial stance with Andy Burnham’s proven dedication to the local community in Makerfield.
In response to the backlash, a spokesman for Reform UK defended Kenyon’s right to hold personal opinions on abortion, emphasizing that his views were expressed before entering politics. The spokesman portrayed Kenyon as a straightforward advocate for ordinary working individuals, positioning him as a relatable voice for the people of Makerfield.
