While all the media speculation is centred on Andy Burnham, there is talk that the leader of the Green Party Zak Polanski could stand in the forthcoming by election in Andrew Gwynne’s old seat
The populist new leader from Greater Manchester would be looking at the fact that his party pre his appointment
With the forthcoming by election looking like a three horse race between Labour Reform and the Greens (The Green Party are polling on 24% there currently, behind Labour on 29% and Reform on 27%) it could be an ideal platform for Polanski as the national spotlight falls on the constituency
Reports say the Greens are prepped and ready for go for any future by-election
“We were deadly serious when we said we are not here to be disappointed with Labour but we are here to replace them.
“We have many talented members, and it is down to the local party to choose who they want to represent them in this upcoming by-election.”
As for Andy Burnham, as this morning’s press speculates, there are some enormous hurdles for him to overcome just to stand, let alone win and then take on Kier Starmer in any leadership race
One person who would not support him is Greater Manchester MP Graham Stringer who told LBC yesterday that
”If Andy was to step down as Mayor and to go for Denton and Gorton, he may or may not win that, but we would be having to fight an election across Manchester for the Mayor of Greater Manchester, and you only have to look at the opinion polls to see that Reform might win that.”
Stringer said that he didn’t want to be a Labour MP in Greater Manchester with a Reform Mayor adding
“I get asked a lot if I’m going to step down and my answer is always no, because I gave a commitment at the General Election to be as good of an MP as I could be for Blackley and Middleton South. Andy gave a similar commitment to be Mayor. And I think the electorate hate being used. The electorate of Denton and Gorton would want somebody who was interested in Denton and Gorton. Now, Andy at the moment represents the whole of Greater Manchester. He has not got a particular interest in Denton and Gorton as far as I’m aware.”
