Green Party candidate in Makerfield withdraws from by-election just eight hours after selection

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Chris Kennedy was announced as the party's representative after 8am on Thursday morning but by 4:45pm it was confirmed he had pulled put for "personal and family reasons".

A Green Party spokesperson said: "We wish Chris the best and understand that family has to come first.

"As a party, we are re-opening nominations now because we believe people in Makerfield deserve a real choice at this by-election, and the Green Party will be standing to offer exactly that.

Read more: Prime Minister confirms he will back 'leadership rival' Andy Burnham in Makerfield by-election

Read more: Will Andy Burnham be able to beat Reform in Makerfield? What the data shows

"Across the country, more and more voters are turning away from the old parties and looking for politicians who will genuinely stand up for their communities.

"We will also be redoubling our efforts on campaigning to expose the risk of Reform, a party who seeks to divide our communities.

"This election has to be about how to make the super-rich pay their fair share, how we tackle the cost-of-living crisis with lower bills and affordable housing, and how we protect our public services and our green spaces. It has to be about offering Makerfield hope over hate."

In his unveiling on Thursday morning, Mr Kennedy said he was "proud" to have been elected to stand in the June 18 contest through a ballot of local members after a hustings.

The children’s safeguarding specialis said: "We want to defend our area against the politics of hate and division and bring people together around a positive vision for the future.

"At the same time, we can’t let this election be dominated by a Westminster psychodrama. It must be about protecting what makes Makerfield special. People here are feeling the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis, and they deserve real support.

"Greens will fight for warmer homes, lower bills, and a fairer economy. And we will always stand up for our NHS, properly funded, publicly owned, and there for everyone when they need it."

The by-election was sparked after Labour's Josh Simons stood down to allow Andy Burnham a way back into the Commons, something he would need to do in order to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for party leadership.

The withdrawal comes after it emerged the party was locked into a "very civilised internal debate" about how it could challenge Mr Burnham to the seat.

One senior Green told The Guardian: "The debate is what the campaign would look like. There is a world of difference between turning up to the hustings with a bit of leafleting, and what we saw in [the] Gorton and Denton [by-election, which the Green party won]."

They added that "throwing everything at it" would be a national-level decision for the party, which covers England and Wales.

Earlier, Green Party leader Zack Polanski said: "Chris will be a fantastic candidate and representative for Makerfield.

"This election is about who is making the case for lower bills, warmer and more affordable homes, and a greener and fairer economy."

Mr Burnham will be running in the by-election on behalf of the Labour Party, and it is widely expected that he will challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership if he is successful.

It is expected that it will be a straight shoot-out between Mr Burnham and Reform's Robert Kenyon, who was put forward by his party earlier this week.

Mr Kenyon, who is a local plumber, ran in the 2024 election and finished in second place with nearly 32 per cent of the vote.

The Prime Minister confirmed on Thursday that he plans to support Mr Burnham's campaign despite him presenting a potential threat to his premiership.

Sir Keir said he told other Labour members that he wants "everybody to be involved in the campaign", and added: "Whatever other discussions are going on, it’s really important – that's a straight fight between Labour and Reform."

The news was welcomed by Mr Burnham whose team said: "Anyone who wants to embrace Andy’s campaign message is welcome on the campaign."