Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe Green Party has named Manchester city councillor Sarah Wakefield as its new candidate for the Makerfield by-election, scheduled for June 18. This decision follows the withdrawal of the party's initial candidate, Chris Kennedy, who stepped down just nine hours after his announcement. Kennedy's withdrawal was followed by reports that he had shared a social media post characterising an attack on Jewish ambulances in north London as a 'false flag,' for which he subsequently issued an apology. Ms Wakefield, a charity director currently on maternity leave, stated that the Green Party's core message is that 'the future can be better and fairer than the failed status quo.' She stressed the importance of providing voters with a choice and expressed optimism that politics can foster a better life, encouraging constituents to 'vote in hope' rather than anger. In fullGreen Party names new candidate for Makerfield by-election after antisemitism rowThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in