Senior figures within the Green Party are reportedly under growing pressure to reconsider their strategy in the upcoming Makerfield by-election, with some calling for the party to step aside in order to improve Labour’s chances of defeating Reform UK.

The debate centres on whether Green Party leader Zack Polanski should allow Labour a clearer path in a tightly contested race that could influence broader national politics.

According to polling cited in the report, Labour’s candidate Andy Burnham holds a narrow lead over Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon, with only a few percentage points separating the two front-runners.

The Greens, meanwhile, are placed significantly behind in fifth position, with little prospect of winning the seat under the current first-past-the-post system.

A group of activists and former senior party figures, including ex-leader Jonathan Bartley, have argued that the Greens should consider a tactical withdrawal or reduced campaigning.

Their reasoning is that supporting Burnham could strengthen the case for future electoral reform, particularly proportional representation, which they believe would benefit smaller parties in the long term.However, the suggestion has exposed internal divisions within the party.

Some members insist that the Greens should continue to stand a full candidate and offer voters a distinct alternative, arguing that stepping aside would undermine democratic choice and party credibility.A party spokesperson emphasised that candidate selection remains a local democratic process and that no formal agreement has been made with Labour.

The wider political context includes speculation about Burnham’s potential future leadership ambitions and the possibility that a victory could reshape national political dynamics.

Reform UK figures have described the contest as a two-horse race, while Conservative and other party voices are also weighing the implications of tactical voting.

Overall, the situation highlights both the fragility of the Makerfield contest and the broader strategic dilemmas facing smaller parties operating under the UK’s electoral system.