ANGELA Rayner has taken on many kinds of opponents in her political career – but a wrestler may be a new one.
But at this year’s general election, she will be standing against a champion in the Ashton-under-Lyne constituency, of her hometown of Stockport.
On the ballot paper on Thursday, July 4, he will be listed as Robert Barrowcliffe of Reform UK. Between the ropes, he is Rob Valentine.
And while appearances right now may be deceiving – the campaign has had an effect on his body – he will be back in the ring later this year, maybe as Rob Valentine MP.
“I wrestle under Rob Valentine and I’m generally a good guy,” Robert, of Mossley, said. “I’ve wrestled all over the country and trained everywhere.
“I had a chance to go to America, but I got very ill with appendicitis and had to have my appendix removed, which set me back.
“I must admit since then and starting this campaign, I’ve gone very skinny because I’ve not been able to go to the gym.
“People look at me now and are like, ‘You’re a wrestler?’ I reply, ‘Well yeah, but not right now.’
“How long it takes to get back into shape depends on whether this is a road I want to go down. Part of me thinks being in politics is what I’m made for, another part is thinking, ‘I’d just like to go back to a completely normal life.’
“But I do have one last match in me. I’ve got the gear and I’ll be able to get back in the gym and start eating right again, then I’ll be wrestling in October.
“I’m the champion. I’ve got to defend my title, it’s a matter of honour.”
Speaking as the general election campaign entered its final week, Robert has been blown away by the public’s reaction.
Even those who disagree with what Reform UK stand for have held their hand up and applauded him for standing at the age of 25.
He added: “It’s gone fantastically. I’ve honestly been blown away by the amount of enthusiasm and support and the general reception I received.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s a lot of effort and it’s taken a lot of my energy but I’m more than willing to give it. I knew what I was getting into in terms of workload, I think I’m going to massively crash after this election.
“But I’ve got something driving me forwards. I think there’s something driving the whole of Reform UK forwards right now.
“I didn’t really know what I was expecting but I wasn’t expecting this, the outpouring of love and support from everyone I’ve interacted with, even those I disagree with.
“I don’t know what it is, but I think it’s just me. People react to me. They see a young man who’s clearly in it for the right reasons.
“Regardless of agreement or disagreement, it’s almost like, ‘Well, good luck to you.’
“Some will say, ‘I don’t agree with your party but fair play for standing.’ Others think what I stand for is common sense.”
Of all political groups, Reform UK – headed by Nigel Farage – has had more said about it than most.
Its standpoint on various issues and outbursts from candidates, people dropped as them and supporters have attracted headlines.
But Robert is adamant there is more to the group than is portrayed by many.
He told The Correspondent: “There’s more than just Nigel Farage and there are a fair few young people standing as candidates.
“We have a young generation coming through our ranks right now.
“I know there’s a stereotype of Reform UK always being old people, boomers and some people use the ridiculous term gammons.
“I think that’s quite disrespectful to our older generation, who for the most part just want the best for their kids and grandkids.
“We know what the situation is with jobs, especially in Tameside – we have one of the lowest numbers available in the country – and rent has skyrocketed, especially in Ashton.
“When rent skyrockets, how are we meant to save up to be able to start a family? This is what we stand for, it’s not a right or left issue.
“There will be people in the party who say the wrong thing or something disrespectful.
“It would happen in any party and you don’t tarnish a whole group in society by a minority of extremists. Why are we applying that standard to Reform UK?”
Robert’s final few days of campaigning saw him deliver a speech in Ashton-under-Lyne and will see him appear on BBC Breakfast and speak at an event in Liverpool – all while distributing 10,000 leaflets.
And what is his ambition? Well, the answer to that is pretty simple.
He said: “My only ambition right now is to win. I don’t have any time to think about anything else!”
Also standing in Ashton-under-Lyne are Lizzie Hacking (Conservative), Dominic Hardwick (Liberal Democrats), Aroma Hassan (Workers Party of Britain) and Lee Huntbach (Green Party).