Greens Pick Nurse Chris Kennedy for June 18 Makerfield Vote as Party Weighs Limited Campaign
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 21
Greens Pick Nurse Chris Kennedy for June 18 Makerfield Vote as Party Weighs Limited Campaign
6 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 21
Chris Kennedy, a nurse and children’s safeguarding specialist, was chosen by local Green members on Wednesday to contest the June 18 Makerfield by-election.
Senior Greens are considering holding back significant resources because members fear a full-scale campaign could split the progressive vote and help Reform candidate Robert Kenyon win.
Zack Polanski called Kennedy a “fantastic candidate” but said the party would still use the race to challenge Labour’s Andy Burnham over fair voting, public ownership and his wider platform.
The contest has become a strategic test beyond Makerfield: Burnham is expected to challenge Keir Starmer if he wins, while the Greens are balancing local campaigning against longer-term electoral risks.
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