Green Party in the spotlight as Makerfield by-election scrambles and leadership scrutiny widens. Zack Polanski, party leader, and Green candidates under fire.
Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is contesting Makerfield in the June 18 by-election, with a view to leading Labour and potentially challenging Sir Keir Starmer. He argues for greater public control and devolution, drawing on Manchester’s Bee Network and a push for national change.
Malcolm Offord, now Reform UK's Scottish leader, says he has lost friends after defecting from the Conservatives. He aims to challenge the Holyrood status quo, facing opposition from mainstream parties. Polls suggest Reform UK may come second in May, but recent surveys show a dip in support.
Green leader Zack Polanski outlined a new economic vision emphasizing wellbeing, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability. He proposed policies including a wealth tax, rent controls, and renationalisation of water, criticizing current fiscal rules and Brexit's economic impact. The speech signals a strategic move to attract left-leaning voters.
Avi Lewis has been elected leader of Canada's New Democratic Party, promising to rebuild the party after its worst electoral losses. Lewis, known for his anti-Zionist stance and family political legacy, campaigned on principles including affordability and the environment. His victory signals a shift in the party's direction.
A 45-year-old man, Essa Suleiman, has been charged with multiple counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article after two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green, north London. He has also been charged over an earlier south London incident. The suspect has been remanded and the UK terrorism threat level has been raised to "severe."
Reform UK has announced plans to detain migrants in centres not within areas that elect Reform MPs or councils, prioritising Green-led constituencies. Critics call the proposal a punitive, politically charged move amid local elections, with Labour and Greens opposing the policy.
Zviko Chihoro, a 28-year-old Green Party candidate in Brixton Rush Common, is challenging Labour in Lambeth, citing housing and local services as key priorities and linking his campaign to Palestine solidarity and personal experiences of oppression.
Labour has been facing mounting pressure as local and devolved elections open across England, Wales and Scotland. The party is seen as likely to suffer historically poor results amid policy U-turns and controversies, with Reform UK and Plaid Cymru making gains and Green support rising in several regions.
Labour has lost control of several councils across England while Reform UK and the Greens gain ground; the results signal a reshaping of the political landscape ahead of any general election, with the SNP and Plaid Cymru also indicating shifts in power in Scotland and Wales.
The Guardian reports Andy Burnham is publicly positioned to win Makerfield and is exploring a future leadership bid, while the Green Party has limited resources and reopens its candidate selection after Chris Kennedy’s withdrawal. The by-election is set for 18 June, with Labour facing Reform UK in a high-stakes contest.
Nigel Farage has urged trade unions to affiliate with Reform UK, arguing the party is “the party of workers.” Unions including Unison and the GMB have rebuffed the invitation, saying Reform would scrap workers’ rights and threaten public-sector jobs. Polls show union members split between Labour and Reform, reflecting shifting loyalties.
Protests linked to Delaney Hall have spurred action as a journalist reports gear theft by a local prosecutor’s sergeant. Authorities say the case underscores accountability expectations and ongoing facility tensions.