Green candidate drops out of makerfield race amid social media controversy
Chris Kennedy, the Green party’s candidate for the Makerfield byelection, abruptly withdrew his name from the ballot just twelve hours after his selection, citing ‘personal and family reasons’. The swift departure throws the already volatile race into further disarray.
A storm of controversy brews
The decision follows reports from The Times, which investigated Kennedy’s social media activity, specifically concerning a series of posts sharing inflammatory rhetoric regarding arrests made in connection with an attack on Jewish ambulances in north London in April. Kennedy’s Instagram video dismissed the arrests as ‘total bullshit’ and a ‘false flag’ operation – a tactic frequently deployed to obfuscate the truth. He also amplified a post from Hugh Anthony, a self-described ‘proud ethno-nationalist,’ expressing dissatisfaction with the response to the Golders Green arson attack in March.
A Green party spokesperson acknowledged the problematic content, stating, ‘These posts do not reflect the views of the Green party. We’ve spoken to Chris, and he’s deleted them. He’s offered a sincere apology for the offense caused.’
A shifting landscape
Kennedy’s nomination was initially championed by local party members, despite the newspaper’s own reporting on social media posts damaging the prospects of frontrunner Hayley Pierce. Pierce’s campaign, it appears, had been undermined by her own online activity, documented by The Times. But the party’s decision to pivot now, just days after Kennedy’s announcement, underscores the precarious nature of the situation.
The Greens are now reopening nominations, ostensibly to offer ‘a real choice’ to Makerfield voters. However, the move is being viewed with considerable caution by some within the party. As one senior figure confided to the Financial Times, ‘We don’t want this one to go to Reform. And frankly, we don’t want Labour to paint this as a Green vote for Reform – that’s a narrative we’re determined to prevent.’
Beyond the byelection: a wider battle
This byelection isn't merely about Makerfield; it represents a broader challenge to the established political order. Voters, increasingly disillusioned with traditional parties, are seeking alternatives. The Green party is doubling down on its message: a focus on addressing the cost-of-living crisis, holding the super-rich accountable, and protecting vital public services and green spaces. They are actively framing this campaign against the rising influence of Reform, a party they characterize as deliberately divisive.
The stakes, therefore, are remarkably high. Nominations will reopen on Friday, with a selection meeting scheduled for Monday evening. The pressure to secure a candidate capable of navigating this complex political terrain is immense, and the potential outcome – a Reform victory – is a scenario the Green party is actively seeking to avert. The party’s determination to prevent Labour from leveraging this situation against them highlights the strategic importance of this byelection, a microcosm of a much larger national debate.”n