Zack Polanski told not to challenge Andy Burnham's No10 plot amid ‘dire Reform threat’

Zack Polanski has been urged not to field a Green Party candidate in Makerfield if Andy Burnham is selected to contest the Greater Manchester seat in a by-election.

Caroline Lucas, who sat as the Green Party's only MP from 2010 to 2024, suggested Mr Burnham was an ally of the Green Party's cause and issued a warning about the "dire threat" posed by Reform UK.

She said: “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 [and] counter dire threat of a Reform UK Government."

However, Mr Polanski's party suggested it is preparing to campaign in Makerfield following the release of Josh Simons's resignation letter.

A Green Party spokesman said: “We are looking forward to the campaign.

"We’ve learned from our campaigning and wins in Gorton & Denton and the recent local elections, and we’ve shown we can beat Reform.

"We’re a democratic party and our local members choose their candidates. We have already started the candidate selection process for any potential by-election in Makerfield.”

The Green Party tasted by-election victory in Greater Manchester earlier this year, with Hannah Spencer seeing off the threat from Reform UK and Labour in Gorton & Denton.

Mr Burnham, who expressed his intention to stand as Labour's candidate, was blocked from the contest by the National Executive Committee.

However, the NEC has now given the metro mayor approval to put his name forward for the Makerfield by-election.

Polls suggest Mr Burnham will face a close race with Reform UK for the Greater Manchester constituency.

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Reform UK MP Andrew Rosindell last night told GB News that the Tories should not field a candidate in Makerfield.

He said: "I would say tonight, the Conservative Party should put the country before party and not field a candidate.

"Otherwise, we risk splitting the vote and potentially letting Labour creep back in.

"The Conservative Party really should withdraw from this race and give a clear run to Reform UK."

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch dismissed Mr Rosindell's call for the Tory Party to stand aside in Makerfield.

Speaking to The People's Channel today, Mrs Badenoch said: "I have made it very clear, I am not doing any deals with Nigel Farage or Reform.

"As far as I'm concerned, people in that constituency who want to see the welfare bill brought down, who want the two-child benefit cap brought back in, who want a cheap power plan, to see stamp duty abolished and business rates for small businesses abolished – they need someone to vote for.

"Nigel Farage is not offering any of those things, and if those people don't have that option, how is that fair?

"We will be standing a candidate at this election. Everybody should compete, and the people of the constituency should make their choice about who it is they want to represent them."