Rebecca Shepherd becomes first Makerfield candidate for Robert Kenyon

Restore Britain named Rebecca Shepherd, 53, as its candidate for the Makerfield parliamentary by-election, making her the first person to enter the contest that followed Robert Kenyon’s coverage of the race opening after Josh Simons resigned. The announcement gives the party an immediate foothold in a by-election that began with the Labour MP’s departure.

Rebecca Shepherd, 53

The party described Shepherd as a local businesswoman and said she had understanding first-hand the pressures facing local businesses and working families across the area. Restore Britain said that background fits a race shaped by local representation rather than national party careers.

Rupert Lowe in February

Rupert Lowe created Restore Britain in February after he left Reform UK, and he put Shepherd forward as the party’s first Makerfield candidate. Lowe said she would fight for the interests of the community, rather than political careers.

Makerfield by-election opening

Josh Simons’ resignation triggered the by-election, leaving Restore Britain as the first party to name a candidate. For voters in Makerfield, the immediate next step is a contest that now has a named entrant and a party trying to set its case early.