Statement follows speculation party would not field candidate in Makerfield or barely fight seat
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The Greens are going to campaign for the Makerfield byelection, complicating Andy Burnham’s potential route back to parliament against what is expected to be a strong Reform UK challenge.
A statement from the Greens said candidate selection was in process and that the party had learned from its win in another Greater Manchester seat in February, when it overcame a 13,000 Labour majority in Gorton and Denton.
However, Caroline Lucas, the party’s former leader, said she disagreed with this course of action, writing on X: “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 & counter dire threat of a Reform UK government.”
