There was tension, ideological clashes and a big laugh when one man was brave enough to cite Margaret Thatcher as a political hero in the former Wigan mining town. As the Manchester Evening News finished hosting a hustings for the Makerfield by-election candidates at Winstanley College, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Green, Conservative and Reform UK candidates were quizzed on everything from women’s rights to greenbelt development. Hyperlocal issues such as the Bickershaw tip fire and national topics like immigration came up during 60 minutes of sometimes tense discussion.
Opening Question on Belfast Violence
The opening question from editor Sarah Lester about the horrific events in Belfast and the subsequent violence on the streets produced interesting responses. Labour’s Andy Burnham said: “It's never the answer to violence like this to then produce more violence on the streets. Violence that attacks people's homes or public transport. Politicians and their words have consequences, and we've got to move back from a society where we're stoking up further problems with violence leading to more violence on our streets.”
Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon said: “Violence is not the answer. But people have got the right to have their voices heard.” He noted that there “weren’t that many stabbings” in Wigan 20 years ago and suggested knife crime is “becoming normalised”. He called for “a real strict immigration policy” and said: “People who want to come in the country, by all means, come in the country, contribute, that's fine you're welcome to come here. Anyone who comes in illegally, this incident wouldn't have happened if we had a firm grip on illegal immigration.”
Immigration Debate
Candidates were also asked how they would manage immigration effectively while ensuring public services can meet demand. Mr Kenyon said Reform supports “net negative immigration” and said migrants who want to work for the NHS are “welcome to come”. He added: “If we've got the demand, the need, by all means come. But as we've seen over the last few years, the floodgates have opened, the more people you have in the country, the more housing you're going to need. It puts a massive strain on infrastructure like hospitals, doctors, dentists, schools, roads, and so on. So, at the minute, the population has grown massively. So, I do think we need to have net negative, start with removing people who shouldn't be here, keep the ones who we want here, it's as simple as that.”
Mr Burnham took issue with his rival’s phrasing, though he agreed that immigration is “a huge concern on the doorsteps” in Makerfield. He insisted the way to deal with it is “with care and control rather than rhetoric and division”. He pointed out that two prominent Reform members, Suella Braverman and Robert Jenrick, were in charge of the immigration system when net migration was at its highest. He noted progress: “Small boat crossings are down 40 per cent this year compared to last year. Net migration is down 80 per cent. Those are good foundations now to get the system back in a place where the public have confidence.” He added: “Let's remember people here working here who contribute to our society, contribute to our economy, contribute to our NHS. Let's get this whole issue back in proper balance.”
Clashes and Accusations
It was a sparky performance from the two front runners, but there were clashes throughout the afternoon. Mr Kenyon accused Burnham of being a “cardboard cut out” who will be at the other end of the country if elected. “You may as well vote for his PA as that's who you'll be speaking to,” he said. He promised to meet constituents regularly, including holding a surgery at the college, if elected. Mr Burnham shunned the label and said “it's always been this place where my heart is”. “The more power you've got to help people, the more this constituency would become the most powerful in the land,” he said.
In the midst of a campaign where Mr Kenyon has been scrutinised over his attitude to women, a question from a WASPI woman prompted him to clarify his thinking. He insisted that Reform would protect women’s rights. “Every single one of them rights, pregnant, the lot, are all going to be protected when you talk about women's protection,” he said, in a moment that garnered audible laughter from some in the audience.
Missing Candidate
Since Rebecca Shepherd was announced as Restore Britain’s candidate for Makerfield, the Manchester Evening News has been requesting an interview, just as with all other polling candidates. Ms Shepherd was also invited to the hustings but was not in attendance.
Student Involvement
The hustings were held at Winstanley College, an esteemed institution that counts Richard Ashcroft and Shaun Briscoe among its alumni. Students from Winstanley TV, part of the college's media department, assisted in filming the event. Green Party candidate Sarah Wakefield spent time chatting to students beforehand and mentioned that she was asked better questions by the students than those posed by journalists.
Favourite Greater Manchester Bands
When asked for their favourite Greater Manchester band, Robert Kenyon fired off eight: “Oasis, The Smiths, Happy Mondays, Blossoms, Courteeners, Joy Division, New Order, The Verve.” Forced to pick one, he said Oasis. Green Sarah Wakefield chose James, while Tory Michael Winstanley picked The Verve. Andy Burnham firmly confirmed Oasis, and Lib Dem Jake Austin said The Smiths, naming The Queen Is Dead as one of his all-time greatest albums.
Political Heroes
Editor Sarah Lester asked the candidates who their political hero was. Jake Austin cited Leslie Knope from the TV show Parks and Recreation. Reform’s Rob Kenyon said Winston Churchill for keeping the country on track during the war. Green candidate Sarah Wakefield chose Caroline Lucas for her bravery and ability to build coalitions. Andy Burnham cited Gordon Brown, Neil Kinnock, and finally Nye Bevan, saying: “We need to get back to a time when politicians have the courage to stand before the country and say, ‘here is a massive idea that will change things for the better for everybody, that includes everybody’.” Conservative candidate Michael Winstanley garnered the biggest reaction when he revealed his political hero was Mrs Thatcher, saying she turned the country round. There were boos and laughs from the audience in this former mining town.
Dolly Parton Interruption
As journalists filed their copy from a room at Winstanley College, just after 5pm the unmistakable opening chords of Dolly Parton’s ‘Working 9 to 5’ suddenly started blasting from powerful speakers, overpowering conversations about politics. College staff said it was a mistake linked to a neighbouring dance class, but it might have been a subtle hint to leave.
