Green Party Leaders Call for Deal with Andy Burnham to Stop Reform UK, Sparking Labour Leadership Speculation

Senior Green Party figures are urging their candidate, Zack Polanski, to step aside in the Makerfield by-election, not to win, but to back Andy Burnham in a tactical move aimed at stopping Reform UK and potentially unseating Sir Keir Starmer.

Green Party Prioritises Power Play Over Voters

A joint statement, signed by former Green Party leaders Jonathan Bartley and Rupert Read, along with other councillors and activists, openly admits the party cannot win the Makerfield seat. As reported by GB News, the letter states: “In all reality this is not a seat Greens can win. It will be a straight fight between Labour and Reform.”

Instead of campaigning for their own candidate, these Green Party figures want to use the by-election to push for proportional representation, offering to back Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham if he commits to the electoral reform. This move, according to The Times polling, comes as the Greens trail Reform UK in fifth place.

A Betrayal of Local Voters?

The Green Party’s internal debate highlights a cynical approach to elections, where the interests of local voters in Makerfield appear secondary to national political manoeuvring. Rupert Read, a former councillor, expressed hope that Greens would not “move heaven and earth to stop [Burnham]” if he committed to voting reform, adding: “Frankly, there are much better ways to spend that energy and money.”

This comes after the party’s initial candidate, Chris Kennedy, withdrew following enquiries from The Times regarding social media posts where he described an attack on Jewish ambulances as a “false flag”. The party’s spokesperson confirmed a democratic selection process is underway, but stated they are “not aware that Andy Burnham is ready to make, or indeed has the authority to make, any kind of deal.”

• Senior Green Party figures admit they cannot win Makerfield.
• They propose backing Andy Burnham in exchange for proportional representation.
• The move is explicitly aimed at stopping Reform UK and potentially challenging Starmer.
• The party’s initial candidate withdrew after controversial social media posts emerged.
• Labour’s Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, described the situation as “fantasy politics.”

What This Means for Britain

This reveals how some political parties view by-elections as chess pieces for national strategy, rather than opportunities for local representation. It shows a willingness to sacrifice local democratic choice for broader political aims.

The Green Party’s open admission that they cannot win, and their focus on stopping Reform UK, highlights the growing influence and threat Reform UK poses to the establishment parties. This also underscores the shift in the political landscape, where Reform UK is now seen as a major contender.

The proposed deal with Andy Burnham, and the explicit mention of his potential to “unseat Starmer,” exposes deep divisions and leadership anxieties within the Labour Party. It suggests that even within the establishment, there’s a desire for change at the top.

For ordinary voters, this kind of political horse-trading can feel like a betrayal, with their democratic right to choose being undermined by backroom deals. It reinforces the belief that politicians are more concerned with their own power than with serving the public.

Share if you believe voters deserve real choices, not political deals behind closed doors.

This article is a factual summary of reporting by GB News and The Times. Full original story available on their websites. All quotes directly attributed.

Source: GB News | Breaking Brexit News