Reform UK candidate said Russia within rights over Crimea in 2014 post
Robert Kenyon, Reform UK's candidate in the Makerfield by-election, wrote in 2014 that Russia was within its rights to annex Crimea and compared the move to the Falklands. The comments resurfaced during the campaign for the 18 June vote.
The IndependentThe post, made in March 2014 on a forum discussing Ukraine, responded to a comment stating that Crimeans wanted to join Russia and that the Falklands and Gibraltar wanted to remain British. The candidate replied that he agreed "totally" and added a question about whether Latvia would be next.
Campaign context The comments were reported by The Telegraph and have resurfaced during the campaign for the 18 June by-election in the Greater Manchester constituency. The candidate finished second in the seat in the 2024 general election with 31.8 per cent of the vote.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- March 2014
Candidate posted agreement with Crimea annexation on online forum.
1 sourceThe Independent - 2024 general election
Candidate received 31.8 per cent of the vote in Makerfield seat.
1 sourceThe Independent - 18 June
Makerfield by-election scheduled with candidate standing for Reform UK.
1 sourceThe Independent
Potential Impact
- 01
Resurfaced comments may affect voter perception of the candidate ahead of the by-election.
Transparency Panel
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