Greens divided on Makerfield byelection strategy as Burnham faces challenge

The Green Party is engaged in a significant internal debate regarding its strategic approach to the upcoming Makerfield byelection in Greater Manchester. The discussion centres on the intensity of the challenge against Labour’s Andy Burnham, with party members divided between those advocating for restraint to prevent a Reform UK victory and others pushing for a full contest to hold the governing party accountable.

A candidate is expected to be announced on Wednesday, with the byelection scheduled to take place next month. While the local party holds the authority to field a candidate, the final decision on resource allocation and campaign intensity rests with the national executive committee, led by Zack Polanski. The scope of the campaign will determine whether the party replicates the high-intensity mobilisation seen in previous by-elections or adopts a more limited presence.

The debate follows the Green Party’s performance in the Gorton and Denton byelection in February, where the party mobilised thousands of activists to overcome a Labour majority of over 13,000, defeating Reform UK and pushing Labour into third place. In contrast, Greens finished fifth in Makerfield during the 2024 general election, a result described by insiders as less favourable. One senior Green source noted that while the local party may choose to participate, the national party must decide between minimal leafleting and a comprehensive campaign effort.

Former Green MP Caroline Lucas has publicly urged restraint, arguing that preventing a Reform UK government is paramount. Lucas stated on social media that there are times when it is necessary to put country before party, citing Burnham’s longstanding support for voting system reform as a potential democratic transformation. She warned that a Reform UK victory would pose a dire threat to the country, suggesting that winning Green seats is of little value if Nigel Farage were to take power.

Conversely, veteran activists argue that the Greens must present themselves as a distinct political alternative rather than acting as a pressure group. Jenny Jones, a Green peer, contended that the party owes it to voters to offer a Green vote and described the current political circumstances as a mess of Labour’s own making. Other members highlighted that Burnham has not yet offered a programme aligning with Green priorities and previously played a role in an anti-Green campaign during the Gorton and Denton byelection, leading to uncertainty about his current stance.

The national executive must now weigh these competing views to determine the level of commitment to the Makerfield campaign. The outcome will define the party’s ability to extract concessions from Labour on issues such as proportional representation while managing the broader risk of a Reform UK breakthrough in the constituency.