The Green Party of England and Wales has announced Sarah Wakefield as its candidate for the upcoming Makerfield by-election. The constituency, split between Greater Manchester and Wigan, saw a surge in support for Reform UK in recent local elections, with the party winning 24 of 25 seats contested.
The by-election pits Labour's Andy Burnham against the Greens, Conservatives, and Reform UK. Some within the Green Party have debated stepping aside to avoid splitting the progressive vote, but senior figures argue that the party must contest every seat to counter Reform UK effectively. Former leader Caroline Lucas has called for a scaled-back campaign in exchange for electoral reform, while Labour MP Rupa Huq noted that the Greens stepped aside for her in 2017.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has overseen a surge in support, with the party now the second most popular according to a YouGov poll. The Greens argue that Labour is partly responsible for Reform's rise, having adopted hardline immigration policies and fiscal rules that alienate voters. They contend that only the Greens can offer genuine progressive change and counter the discontent that fuels right-wing populism.
The Greens insist that contesting every seat is essential to maintain their position as a credible political force and to pressure Labour into more progressive policies. They reject calls to stand aside, arguing that such moves misunderstand the party's new role in British politics.
