Chris Kennedy to stand for Greens in Makerfield to ‘press Andy Burnham’ due to “mixed track record”

Chris Kennedy, who recently stood as a local election candidate for Newton-le-Willows East, has now been selected by the Green Party to contest the upcoming by-election in Makerfield.

A nurse for 18 years and a specialist in mental health and child safeguarding, Kennedy came within touching distance of victory at the recent local elections, despite having only limited resources behind his campaign.

Beautifully, his campaign clearly connected with ordinary people and the deep concerns many feel about the direction of society.

According to the Times, leader of the Greens Zack Polanski has said:

We will also use the byelection to press Andy Burnham on what kind of MP and Prime Minister he would be, given his mixed track record, and interviews this week suggesting he isn’t committed to fair voting, public ownership and a genuinely new economic settlement.

We’d like to know which version of Andy Burnham is going to show up.

Say hello to Chris Kennedy – Safeguarding Nurse, battle-tested Green Campaigner, Passionate Grassroots Visionary and your Green Party candidate for Makerfield 💚 pic.twitter.com/XIYxElIUnQ

— The Green Party (@TheGreenParty) May 21, 2026

Kennedy is a “Passionate Grassroots Visionary”

Chris Kennedy was born in Leigh, neighbouring Makerfield, and studied at Wigan College. These roots give Kennedy a strong understanding of the concerns facing people in Makerfield.

Like many communities across the Northwest, residents have felt forgotten and left behind by long-standing Labour-run councils for many years and they are angry.

Labour have long taken for granted their ability to depend on the vote of ‘red wall’ seats, with Kennedy set to challenge their dominance in the area.

Moreover, as an outspoken and committed grassroots activist, this truly progressive Green will also be bringing the fight to Reform’s contender in Makerfield.

Robert Kenyon has recently been exposed as a racist fascist after managing to be suspended off Musk-owned X, which is renowned for defending the right to hate speech and divisive rhetoric.

Quite a feat, it must be said!

His suspension followed racist replies, inciting hate and violence – with a history of publicly supporting the British Union of Fascists.

Skwawkbox wrote:

Kenyon’s links to fascism are disturbing, if unsurprising in an Islamophobic Reform candidate and they’re not being exposed for the first time. Kenyon stood, coming second, in the seat in the 2024 general election.

At that campaign, Searchlight Magazine pointed out his social media links to the leader of the British fascist movement.

Hey, @Nigel_Farage and @TiceRichard, you might want to ask your Makerfield Reform candidate, Robert Kenyon, why he includes Gary Raikes amongst his Facebook friends. We only ask because Raikes (pictured, in cap) an ex-member of both BNP and Britain First, is now leader of the… pic.twitter.com/I1XB90lKNY

— @Searchlightmagazine (@Searchlight_mag) June 8, 2024

Didn't take long, did it?#Reform's Candidate in #Makerfield, Robert Kenyon, has his X account suspended for racist replies to a constituent, support of British Union of Fascists, and incitement to hatred & violence.

He 'mothballed' his Facebook, I guess, for the same reasons. pic.twitter.com/xFDABOTZVP

— John O'Connell (@jdpoc) May 19, 2026

Solidarity on show with Kennedy

Signifying the likely reception Kennedy might receive in Makerfield, supporters across social media are actively backing his standing.

This is unsurprising to us after we interviewed Kennedy about his local election campaign before 7th May, and his passionate commitment was abundantly clear to see:

 

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NHS Nurses on X have also shown their appreciation for Kennedy principled decision to stand:

Chris Kennedy is the Green Party's candidate in the Makerfield by-election

He has been a nurse for 18 years 💚 pic.twitter.com/iM0KJ9Z9M6

— NHS Nurses (@SocialistNHS) May 21, 2026

Hoping to see the ‘Spencer’ effect, as seen in Gorton and Denton, ’emulated’ in Makerfield, this X account said:

Chris Kennedy the Green Party candidate in Makerfield. Let’s hope he can emulate the amazing Hannah Spencer and become the next Green MP! pic.twitter.com/zUnq6kBBz7

— Red and Green (@Malcolm1818) May 21, 2026

Burnham facing leftist pressure to remember socialist policy

Further to his professional credentials and proven track record in prioritising the wellbeing of ordinary people, Kennedy is a principled and committed socialist.

Burnham has made several mentions of being a ‘progressive’ and that Labour needs to change. Yes, indeed it does. However, many people doubt that another neoliberal politician would deliver any meaningful change – especially as he has a track record of defending Israel against criticism and had become a member of Labour Friends of Israel.

Nevertheless, contrary to Starmer’s unashamed complicity in the genocide on Gaza, Burnham did call for a ceasefire pretty early on after October 7th. Perhaps people can still challenge his politics and priorities, and sustained public pressure could force a stronger socialist alternative onto the political agenda.

After all, the British people deserve an MP that actually confronts the deep, entrenched harms neoliberal policies have inflicted on society.

Featured image via the Canary