Former Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas has reacted with disappointment to news that her party plans to put up a fight in the Makerfield by-election.
A by-election is expected after the sitting Labour MP Josh Simons said that he would resign his seat and wanted Andy Burnham to replace him in Parliament.
If Mr Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, wins the by-election, he will be eligible to stand in a leadership challenge to the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The Green Party said that it would select a candidate with a view to contesting the by-election properly, having learnt from its victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election.
Labour blocked Mr Burnham from standing in Gorton and Denton in the by-election earlier this year.
The Greens overturned a Labour majority of more than 13,000, with Reform UK coming second. Labour’s vote halved.
The majority in Makerfield is less just over 5,000 and in the local elections this month, Reform won all the seats and more than half the votes.
Former Green leader Caroline Lucas tweeted: “I hope this isn’t true.
“There are times when it’s more important to put country before party. This is one of them.
“Burnham’s longstanding commitment to a fairer voting system could transform our democracy and counter dire threat of a Reform UK government.”
On the contrary, the Greens should campaign properly – and win. No second guessing, especially as there is resentment among residents that they’re being used as as a stepping stone by Burnham. The national situation could have been avoided had Starmer, like Blair before him, not ignored the virtues of proportional representation which brings the stability of real debate. And Labour also lost an opportunity by not advocating a proper return to Europe. Meanwhile, when push comes to shove, it will be curious to see whether Hove’s club-hammer MP Peter Kyle continues to support Starmer or opts for his friend Streeting during the long summer of all this.
The local greens have a big problem with diversity and inclusion. They have middle class assumptions about politics and life in general. They will do Kyle a favour by being like that.
That’s rich given kier’s ‘island of stranger’ speak and Tommy Robinson endorsement of labour migration policies
Well said, Mr Hawtree. What price political principles these days?
Thanks, JamesK! That constitutency could become an international talking point. The New York Times has already had several pieces about the situation.
I thought there was a referendum on this when the Lib Dems went into coalition with the Tories. It was rejected by the people. What are the chances of it succeeding in another referendum…..
Reform would be better than the greens.
Splitting the left could risk Reform getting in.
That is the old familiar cry of undue caution when in fact residents will be more likely to stir themselves to vote for a new spirit. Especially in a by-election. A five-way tussle is what is needed.
A contest of the devil you know vs the devil you don’t, huh? That mentality gave the Americans Trump, so is that acrimonious phantasmagoria really something to aspire to?
“Comparisons are odious.” Wilde. No way to live life.
You say that as if it would be a bad thing.
Mr Hawtree makes a good point but so does Caroline Lucas- a split vote could very likely usher in a Reform MP especially considering all their council seats went to Reform last week. A 5 way ‘tussel’ is an understatement!
The Greens have a momentum which should not falter. Caroline has always been cautious but the party has since gained far more MPs.
But Polanski is a liar and a nutter. He has shown his true colours
How so Charlie?
Two events questioning his honesty:
FIRST – British Red Cross Claim:
In May 2026, media investigations revealed that during his 2022 campaign for Green Party deputy leader, Polanski published crowdfunding materials stating: “As a spokesperson for the British Red Cross – I care deeply about ending racialised policing…”
The British Red Cross publicly confirmed in May 2026 that Polanski “has not been a spokesperson” for the organization, noting his actual involvement was acting as an on-stage host for several fundraising events.
On May 6, 2026, Polanski admitted on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that he “used the wrong word” regarding the Red Cross credential and confirmed the text had been removed.
SECOND – Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Claim:
On his 2020 official campaign website, Polanski stated he was “currently working at the Ministry of Justice on their training & diversity programmes.”
In May 2026, following press disclosures that the MoJ had no employment record for him, Polanski’s team admitted he was not an MoJ employee. He was hired via an external agency (Kreate) as an actor to participate in role-play exercises for the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC)
Is he a liar? To define these incidents as “lies” requires the assumption that Polanski knowingly falsified his credentials with the intent to deceive voters. I don’t know the answer to that, but it’s not a good look either way.
Then there is the whole council tax avoidance debacle and best of all the breast enlargement hypnosis stuff.
Do you need anymore ammo Tailor or shall we stop there
Give people something real to vote for. I’d like to see Burnham win but I’d also like to see real choice. If people want to vote for ‘the money was just resting in my account’, Labour or Greens. They should be given an opportunity to do so.
Burnham , Streeting, Rayner seem to believe there’s a huge wave of support to replace the PM and save the country. IMO Labour will be punished by voters for causing more chaos in a chaotic World. They were elected a couple of years ago can’t they just do their jobs for the full 5 years?
My thoughts exactly. Starmer was elected to do a full term as PM, and quite rightly that’s what he’s committed to see through. Burnham was elected to Mayor of Greater Manchester, and that’s a term he should see out, but seems happy to squander the idea for political gains. The labour politicians who were always going to disappoint Starmer at some point, are now doing it quickly and en masse. Let’s see if the electorate do the same to Burnham.
Facts need to be faced. Starmer has become a liability and the longer he clings on the more damage he does to his party, driving them into the arms of the Greens and Reform. He is akin to a cancer which needs to be removed before it spreads any further. When power goes to someone’s head, they no longer listen to reason and delusion sets in.
Caroline must be appalled at what the Green Party has become. Essentially a Trojan horse for radical Muslim politics to establish a foothold. The Electoral commission has refused religious parties so this is their way in.
Very true.
Just goes to show how dangerous Burnham is to the country if Caroline Lucas supports him.
I shouldn’t have thought any Brexit revisited candidate who believes in open borders will go down well in Makerfield.
https://share.google/iuCdm8aN0HaLHXoaz
I do not think the country (or rather the Labour Party, as there would be no general election) should be embroiling itself in another contest for a leader. Starmer was elected only two years ago and the Labour government’s policies are sound – he should stay to finish the job.
I’m glad Caroline continues to plough an independent furrow and puts country first. I agree with her about PR and think it will be important that the Green Party do not split the vote and risk a Reform victory which would not represent the majority view in the constituency. Unfortunately those Greens that simple push for the Populist perspective regardless, are why the Green Party is no longer what it was and will soon fall apart.