The Green Party of England and Wales has confirmed Sarah Wakefield as its candidate for the upcoming Makerfield by-election, rejecting calls from Labour to stand aside. The constituency, split between Greater Manchester and Wigan, saw Reform UK win 24 of 25 council seats in recent local elections, highlighting the threat of the hard right.
Labour figures, including MP Rupa Huq and deputy leader Lucy Powell, have urged the Greens to withdraw to avoid splitting the progressive vote, warning that a Green presence could allow Reform to win. However, the Greens argue that such calls misunderstand their new role in British politics. Since Zack Polanski became leader, the party has surged in support, now polling as the second most popular party according to YouGov.
Green leaders contend that Labour is partly responsible for Reform's rise, having alienated left-behind voters. They note that Labour lost four votes to the Greens for every one lost to Reform in May's local elections. The Greens see their candidates as essential to countering right-wing populism and holding Labour to progressive promises, pointing to Labour's backtracking on immigration, fiscal rules, and transgender rights under Andy Burnham.
Internal Green discussions about stepping aside were rejected, with the party asserting its legitimacy as an independent force. The Greens argue that a vote for Labour perpetuates the discontent that fuels Farage's Reform UK, making their presence in every seat a necessary challenge to the status quo.
