“Vote in hope” – Greens announce Sarah Wakefield as new Makerfield candidate

The Green Party has announced Manchester councillor Sarah Wakefield as its new candidate for the Makerfield by-election. The announcement comes after the withdrawal of Chris Kennedy from the contest. Wakefield launched her campaign by calling on voters:

Don’t vote in anger, vote in hope.

There’s plenty to be angry about outside of Makerfield. From the sabotage of his own party by departing MP Josh Simons and his group, to the continued red-Tory policies of Labour under Starmer, to the racism of the Reform candidate. Voters have every right to be livid.

But Wakefield is right that Makerfield needs hope. So does UK politics more widely – and so far, it’s only the Greens who are offering it. Certainly, it’s only the Greens who have shown much challenge to Reform, drubbing the neo-fascists in the Gorton and Denton by-election, nearby in Greater Manchester.

Playing ‘safe’ in Makerfield

Wakefield represents something of a ‘safe’ candidate for the Greens in Makerfield. Unlike Kennedy, she appears to have been relatively silent on Israel and its genocide in Gaza. This deprives the UK Israel lobby of an opportunity to attack her, but will also frustrate the many who will want to support a clear anti-genocide candidate in the by-election.

Makerfield voters go to the polls 18 June 2026.

Featured image via the Canary