The single sharpest fact in today's UK politics is that Reform UK is in chaos. The party's candidate in the Makerfield byelection, Robert Kenyon, has been caught up in a storm over sexist comments he made on social media. Kenyon, who's running against Labour's Andy Burnham in the June 18 contest, used a now-deleted X account to support an offensive post about Welsh broadcaster Carol Vorderman. He didn't just like the post, he actively engaged with it, which has sparked outrage.

The party's home affairs spokesperson, Zia Yusuf, has publicly contradicted colleague Robert Jenrick on the party's deportation policy. Jenrick had told Sky News that Reform UK wouldn't automatically deport a foreign-born person living in the UK just because they were living in social housing. However, Yusuf said this wasn't Reform policy, stating that anyone living in social housing at taxpayer expense would automatically fail the party's economic test and be deported. This contradiction has raised eyebrows, and many are questioning the party's stance on the issue.

The controversy surrounding Kenyon's comments has sparked outrage, with many calling for him to apologize. Carol Vorderman has demanded an apology from Kenyon, saying he owes her and other women an apology for his comments. The Labour party has also weighed in, with MP Luke Charters saying that Kenyon's comments were blatant misogyny. Charters didn't mince his words, and his statement has been widely reported.

Reform UK has tried to downplay the incident, with a spokesperson describing Kenyon's comments as 'locker room banter.' However, this has only added to the outrage, with many seeing it as a pathetic excuse for sexism. It's clear that the party's response hasn't helped to calm the situation. In fact, it's made things worse, and the party's reputation has taken a hit.

The party's woes come as it prepares for the Makerfield byelection, which is seen as a key test for Reform UK. The party has been trying to capitalize on the discontent with the current government, but the recent controversies may harm its chances. The party can't afford to lose this byelection, and the pressure is on to perform well. However, with the current scandals, it's unlikely they'll win.

In other news, the Greens have decided to devote only limited resources to the Makerfield byelection, which could boost Labour's chances of winning the seat. The party's decision comes after a Survation poll suggested that Labour's Andy Burnham is three points ahead of Reform UK's Robert Kenyon. This poll is significant, and it's likely to influence the outcome of the byelection.

Keir Starmer said, 'The question now is not whether we do something, we're going to act.' He was referring to the government's plan to crack down on social media use among teenagers. 'The question is only what we do, and that will be coming very quickly.' Starmer's statement implies that the government is taking the issue seriously, and they're likely to announce new measures soon.

The government has been consulting on whether to follow Australia and impose a ban on social media for under-16s. The consultation ends tonight, and Keir Starmer is expected to announce the government's response soon. This ban is a significant step, and it could have a major impact on the social media industry. The government can't ignore the issue, and they must take action to protect children.

As the debate around social media use continues, the medical profession has spoken out about the harm it can cause to children. The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has said that action is needed to protect children from the negative effects of excessive screen time. The academy's chair, Jeanette Dickson, said that the issue is as important as the campaigns to reduce smoking and increase seatbelt use. Dickson's statement highlights the seriousness of the issue, and it's clear that the medical profession is taking it seriously.

The UK government has also been under pressure to take action on social media regulation. Wes Streeting, the former health secretary, has said that a social media ban for under-16s 'must be the start, not the end' of the government's efforts to regulate the sector. He compared the social media industry to the tobacco industry, saying that both have been accused of suppressing evidence about the harm caused by their products. Streeting's comparison is significant, and it implies that the social media industry is not taking the issue seriously.

The situation is still unfolding, and it's clear that the debate around social media use and regulation is far from over. With the government's response to the consultation expected soon, it's likely that we'll see new measures announced. The government won't ignore the issue, and they must take action to protect children from the negative effects of excessive screen time.

  • Reform UK's Robert Kenyon faces backlash over sexist comments
  • Zia Yusuf contradicts Robert Jenrick on deportation policy
  • Greens devote limited resources to Makerfield byelection
  • Government consultation on social media ban for under-16s ends tonight
  • Keir Starmer expected to announce government's response soon

The controversies surrounding Reform UK and the debate around social media regulation are just two of the many issues that are currently making headlines in UK politics. As the country prepares for the Makerfield byelection and the potential consequences of a Reform UK victory, the coming weeks and months will be filled with drama and uncertainty. Labour leader Keir Starmer is under pressure to deliver on his promises, and many Labour MPs think he won't be in office for much longer. Starmer is reportedly looking for decisions to take that would build up his claims to have left a political legacy. The question on everyone's mind is: what will happen next in UK politics?

The answer isn't clear, but one thing's for sure - the next few weeks will be crucial in determining the future of UK politics.