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Makerfield is a *terrible* seat demographically for the Green Party. Don't think they could possibly win it. But they could potentially take 4,000-5,000 votes off Labour's total if they campaigned aggressively. That could prove decisive. Fateful even. *If* they campaign aggressively.

Peter Walker@peterwalker99.bsky.social

In Makerfield/Burnham news, the Greens *will* be standing someone and, it seems, campaigning fully, which will make Burnham's task trickier. There had been talk they could stand aside in return for a commitment on electoral reform.

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They'd be drinking electoral poison if they help Reform win that. They should play the grown-up progressive coalition card, and keep their powder dry for the mayoralty.

As a Green member, I would absolutely vote for Burnham if I lived in this constituency. (A green member really sounds like it should be presented in A&E)

Thing is, if there was even a hint of a deal (presumably on PR), Reform could likely use that to mobilise their own voters. Tricky business, politics...

Not any more. It did until they got ahead...which under FPTP gives you total control. Of course as they went up in the polls, their interest in PR strangely declined.

Also I don't think voters like the sort of too-cute finagling that Burnham is attempting. And it seems pretty grasping & opportunistic to me, which might also sway a chunk of votes. Also the sheer comedy value when he loses to Reform first in the seat, then in the Mayoralty he'll be made to vacate.

I think the Greens will campaign aggressively, even if that means risking a Reform win. The last thing they want is a revived Labour Party under Burnham. Burnham’s advantage, however, is that he will be able to attract disillusioned Labour voters as well as the tactical, anti Reform vote.

Imagine, in this scenario, how demonising this might become for the Greens. Many traditional Labour voters, elsewhere tempted recently by progressive Green Party policies, may never forget - or forgive. A real ‘country or party’ moment. Left solidarity could be an issue of national security.