The Green party has announced Sarah Wakefield as its new candidate in the Makerfield byelection, after the previous candidate withdrew from the race. Wakefield, a Manchester city councillor, will stand for the party, saying she was proud to represent the Greens.
Senior Green party figures are divided over how much energy and resources should be put into the race – despite their recent win in Gorton and Denton – because Labour’s Andy Burnham is fighting a difficult challenge from Reform UK. Wakefield said: “It is vital in a democracy that voters are given a choice of who they want to vote for. Together we can bring back the hope that politics can create a better life for ourselves and our children.”
Wakefield, 38, is a charity director on maternity leave with two young children. A councillor for Deansgate in central Manchester, she previously worked in retail with a focus on sustainable food and is a trustee of a community organisation.
The Greens were forced to re-select their candidate after their previous candidate, Chris Kennedy, withdrew from the race, citing family issues. The Times reported that Kennedy had posted conspiracy theories on social media about the attack on Jewish community ambulances, suggesting it was a “false flag”. The party said Kennedy had apologised for the offence caused and that the posts did not reflect the views of the party.
In February’s Gorton and Denton byelection, the Greens overcame a 13,000-plus Labour majority to defeat Reform and push Labour into third place – though senior party figures concede they face a much tougher electoral picture in an area like Makerfield. Caroline Lucas, the former Green MP, has led calls for the party not to impede a return to Westminster for Burnham. But Jenny Jones, a veteran Green activist, has argued the party should fight to win the seat.
