Green Party taps nurse as Makerfield by-election hopeful
Chris Kennedy, a registered nurse and safeguarding specialist, will face six rivals in the June 18 Makerfield by-election after securing the Green Party nomination. The contest follows Labour MP Josh Simons’ resignation to clear the path for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s Westminster return.
Chris Kennedy, a registered nurse and children’s safeguarding specialist, has been selected as the Green Party’s candidate for the Makerfield by-election on June 18, local party sources confirmed late Tuesday. Kennedy, a lifelong resident raised in nearby Leigh, prevailed in a closed-member hustings over two other contenders, according to internal documents obtained by this newspaper.
The vacancy was created when Labour MP Josh Simons announced his resignation on May 1, citing a pledge to allow Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to contest the seat. Simons stated his intent to step aside so Burnham could pursue a return to Westminster if successful in the by-election.
Key Points
- ✅ Chris Kennedy, registered nurse and safeguarding specialist, is the Green Party’s Makerfield candidate
- ⚡ By-election scheduled for June 18 following Josh Simons’ resignation
- 💡 Labour’s Andy Burnham is expected to run, clearing the path for his Westminster return
Green Party leader Zack Polanski praised Kennedy’s selection in a video statement released Wednesday morning, calling him “a tireless advocate for working families and environmental justice.” Polanski added that the by-election would center on “lower bills, warmer homes, and a greener economy,” framing it as a referendum on cost-of-living pressures.
💡 Pro Tip
Local voters should watch for candidate debates on housing and NHS funding—two issues that typically dominate Makerfield’s electoral landscape.
Six parties have now declared candidates for the contest. Labour has confirmed Andy Burnham, the region’s directly elected mayor, while Reform UK has named Robert Kenyon, a Wigan-based businessman. The Conservative Party’s Michael Winstanley, a former councillor, rounds out the major-party slate. The Official Monster Raving Loony Party has entered Alan “Howlin” Laud Hope, and independent hopefuls Rebecca Shepherd and Michael Winstanley round out the field.
| Party | Candidate | Notable Background |
|---|---|---|
| Green Party | Chris Kennedy | Registered nurse, children’s safeguarding specialist |
| Labour | Andy Burnham | Greater Manchester Mayor, former MP |
| Reform UK | Robert Kenyon | Wigan businessman |
| Conservative | Michael Winstanley | Former councillor |
| Monster Raving Loony | Alan “Howlin” Laud Hope | Political satirist |
| Independent | Rebecca Shepherd | Restore Britain activist |
The by-election carries implications for the balance of power in Westminster. With Burnham expected to run under Labour colours, the contest risks becoming a proxy battle over the party’s direction ahead of the next general election. Kennedy’s candidacy introduces a new dynamic, positioning the Greens as a progressive alternative focused on social and environmental policy.
📋 By The Numbers
- 6 — Total declared candidates in the Makerfield by-election
- 47% — Labour’s share of the vote in Makerfield at the 2019 general election
- 2.1% — Green Party’s share of the vote in the same election
Kennedy, who has worked in NHS paediatrics for 12 years, emphasized his local roots during the hustings, vowing to prioritise public health and housing affordability. “People here know me,” he told supporters. “I’ve delivered for families in Wigan and Leigh, and I’ll do the same for Makerfield.” His campaign launch is scheduled for May 15 at the Hindley Labour Club, a symbolic venue given its history as a Labour stronghold.
- 18 June 2024 — By-election date
- 1 May 2024 — Josh Simons announced resignation
- 8 May 2024 — Green Party candidate selected
Analysts note that the Greens’ decision to field a nurse reflects a broader strategy to appeal to healthcare workers and young families, demographics critical to the party’s growth in northern England. Kennedy’s safeguarding expertise may also resonate in a constituency still grappling with the aftermath of the 2019 Ofsted crisis at Wigan Council’s children’s services.
- 📊 The Green Party’s 2.1% vote share in 2019 suggests an uphill climb, but localised campaigns have outperformed national trends in recent by-elections.
- 🔍 Labour’s focus on Burnham’s mayoral record could overshadow Kennedy’s domestic policy pitch unless framed as a contrast on green investment.
- ⚠️ Low turnout is expected in June, typical of summer by-elections, potentially amplifying the impact of motivated voter blocs.
The contest will test the Greens’ ability to convert policy advocacy into electoral gains, while also serving as a bellwether for Burnham’s national ambitions. With polling day just weeks away, the Makerfield by-election has rapidly become one of the most closely watched political battles of the summer.