Yesterday, the Green party announced that its candidate for the Makerfield by-election was quitting the race fewer than ten hours after joining it. Chris Kennedy had to withdraw for ‘personal reasons’, the ever-so-understanding socialist brigade declared. ‘Family has to come first’, Zack Polanski’s party naturally told its followers. But there was – shall we say

Chris Kennedy was announced this morning, posed for pictures early this afternoon, but had dropped out by early evening for what the party said were 'personal and family reasons'.

Chris Kennedy, a children's safeguarding specialist, said he was 'proud' to have been elected to stand on June 18 in a vote by members.