Politics
Reform candidate Kenyon exposed as sexist on Question Time
Reform UK’s MP candidate for Makerfield, Robert Kenyon, once self-proclaimed himself as a sexist, but now he is running for parliament he coincidentally won’t accept the label and insists:
I’ve got nothing but respect for women… I’ve said things years ago that I wouldn’t say now.
However, his complete refusal to apologise for comments that many women rightfully found deeply offensive exposed another issue with the Makerfield ‘hopeful’. Instead of showing an ounce of humility or reflecting on why people objected, he doubled down.
That response only strengthened the perception that he places his own views and sense of certainty above the concerns and rights of the women understandably affected by his disgusting, derogatory comments.
Basically, it goes to underscore how his sexism is still alive and well, which is hardly a shock in a patriarchal, woman-hating party as Farage’s Reform.
Fiona Bruce, "The question asked most by the audience about your Robert Kenyon was about comments you've made in particular about women"
Lady in maroon, "I'd rather have a career politician than a plumber who is a sexist"
Fiona Bruce, "You may not be aware of the things Robert… pic.twitter.com/K4zGQMlgiM
— Farrukh (@implausibleblog) June 4, 2026
Reform classic – never apologise
Needless to say, concerns regarding sexism were amongst the most common questions raised by audience members on Question Time, according to Fiona Bruce. Kenyon obviously sought to deflect and deny any notion of being a sexist, despite declaring himself as such. However, his virtue signalling response to a female audience member speaks volumes.
The audience member stated she would:
rather have a career politician than a plumber who’s a sexist.
Fiona Bruce then provided context for those who might not be aware of Kenyon’s pretty disgusting remarks about women, particularly pointing out:
Okay, you described yourself as a sexist. You have made offensive comments about women. You’ve admitted that.
You’ve also said that abortion is the cowardly act of women murdering a defenceless baby and that women do it so they can shag anyone they want.
That’s your phrase, not mine.
As I say, I’m raising it because lots of people in the audience raise it. I want to give you a chance.
Nevertheless, a striking contradiction runs through Kenyon’s subsequent defence. He appears comfortable applying the label to himself when it suits his argument yet rejects it outright when women raise concerns about his comments. Instead, he points to the fact that he was raised by a single mother and grew up with a grandmother and sister, as though those relationships alone settle the question.
The problem is obvious: having women in your life has never served as proof that you respect women or understand their experiences. If it did, no man with a mother, sister, wife, or daughter could ever face accusations of sexism. The argument does not address the criticism – it simply attempts to sidestep it.
He’s a ‘changed man’ apparently, as he said:
So, I won’t accept that label. I mean, a lot of the things have been said 15 years ago. I hold my hands up. I’ve made mistakes.
Recent abusive comments towards Carol Vorderman were also brought up, in which he has been more than happy to perversely sexualise her – which women well know, from experience, puts us at risk of sexualised attacks and abuse.
No apology there either, of course.
*Shocking, Reform UK's Robert Kenyon again refuses to apologise for insulting Carol Vorderman, and doubles down* #BBCQT
Sarah Wakefield, "I spoke to Carol Vorderman this morning, she's really distressed that you, Robert Kenyon, have failed to apologise for any of these… pic.twitter.com/tNUwBQfgje
— Farrukh (@implausibleblog) June 4, 2026
Kenyon’s defence as weak as it is predictable
Bruce wasted little time highlighting the problem with that defence, reminding viewers that Kenyon made those comments about abortion only a few years ago, including claims that women were “murdering” babies so they could sleep around.
Yet Kenyon seems to believe his relationships with women somehow settle the matter. By that cynical standard, every sexist in history would get a free pass simply because they had a mother, sister, wife, or daughter. The argument is as weak as it is predictable.
Needless to say, every abusive man in history also knew women. Women gave birth to them, raised them, worked with them, and often endured their behaviour. Simply having women in your life is not proof of respect for women, nor does it automatically make someone an ally of women’s rights.
Kenyon’s opposition to diversity doesn’t stop at equality for women, as this audience member below poignantly highlighted:
Gent in pink slams Reform UK's Robert Kenyon,
"As a community we want a normal person, a real person stepping in and taking charge to make sure that people of our constituency can get ahead in life the best they can"
"I would rather have a community made up of diversity, of… pic.twitter.com/ehtoTGWEWH
— Farrukh (@implausibleblog) June 4, 2026
One X user commented:
People are trying to whitewash this man by saying it was in the past. People don’t fundamentally change – believe them the first time.
He’s against women, abortion & freedom to choose. Believe the man, don’t vote for him & allow him to slip back to the sewer he came from.
Another said:
“I was bought up by women” seems to be his reasoning that he isn’t sexist. Similar to “I can’t be racist I have a Motown record”
Give a liar or a bull sh***** a spade: They can’t resist talking & automatically start digging a hole as we can clearly see #RobertKenyon doing here.
If we were living in normal times, Rob Kenyon's performance on #bbcqt tonight would be the biggest case of political suicide since Nick Griffin was on #QuestionTime in 2009;
Inarticulate — Jay Walker (@jayBwalker) June 4, 2026
Only recited scripted Reform talking points throughout
Looked and sounded out of his depth pic.twitter.com/1xF8Cqwfck
Sexists were also birthed by women – and most often, raised by them
Kenyon’s attempt to dismiss comments he previously embraced as merely an “alleged” label simply does not stand up to scrutiny. Rather than addressing the concerns people raised, he has fallen back on the argument that he cannot possibly hold sexist views because he has women in his life.
It truly is little different from the tired old defence: ‘I can’t possibly be racist because I have a Black friend.’
Thus, Kenyon’s argument entirely misses the point. Every man has women in his life – mothers, sisters, partners, colleagues, friends, teachers, and carers. Simply knowing or ‘caring’ about women does not make someone immune from criticism when they make comments that are sexist, derogatory or dismissive.
Therefore, what stands out most is not the original comment but the ignorant response that followed.
Rather than recognising why people took issue with the Reform candidate’s remarks or offering any meaningful apology, Kenyon has chosen to dispute the criticism itself. That approach has only deepened concerns about his dangerous judgment.
When someone seeks influence and authority, their willingness to listen to criticism and reflect on their mistakes matters just as much as the views they express.
Featured image via YouTube screenshot/BBC News
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