Chris Kennedy is a registered nurse and children’s safeguarding specialist who was selected as the Green Party prospective parliamentary candidate (PPC) in the 2026 Makerfield by-election. He is a committed local campaigner, focused on tackling the rising cost of living and protecting local green spaces.[1]
Own words
“I am proud to have been selected to stand as the Green Party candidate for Makerfield at such an important time for our community. We want to defend our area against the politics of hate and division and bring people together around a positive vision for the future. At the same time, we can’t let this election be dominated by a Westminster psychodrama. It must be about protecting what makes Makerfield special. People here are feeling the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis, and they deserve real support. Greens will fight for warmer homes, lower bills, and a fairer economy. And we will always stand up for our NHS, properly funded, publicly owned, and there for everyone when they need it.”
File:Chris Kennedy 2.jpgChris Kennedy pictured on 21 May 2026 at Low Hall Nature Reserve in Wigan
"Chris will be a fantastic candidate and representative for Makerfield. This election is about who is making the case for lower bills, warmer and more affordable homes and a greener and fairer economy. In a democracy, people must have the choice to vote for the candidate of their choice. The greatest threat in this by-election is the Reform Party, which, while presenting itself as a change to the status quo, is just more of the same and worse. It is in hock to corporate interests and seeks to divide our communities rather than uniting them. We have shown we can take votes from Reform in a way Labour just can’t. We know there are many voters fed up with the status quo who will only choose between Reform and Greens.
“We will also use the by-election 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.”
Candidate withdraws
Having been announced as the candidate at around 7:30am on Thursday May 21st Chris Kennedy stood down at about 4:30pm, citing “personal and family reasons”.[2] A Green Party spokesperson said:
“We wish Chris the best and understand that family has to come first.
“As a party, we are re-opening nominations now because we believe people in Makerfield deserve a real choice at this by-election, and the Green Party will be standing to offer exactly that.
“Across the country, more and more voters are turning away from the old parties and looking for politicians who will genuinely stand up for their communities.
“We will also be redoubling our efforts on campaigning to expose the risk of Reform UK, a party that seeks to divide our communities.
“This election has to be about how to make the super-rich pay their fair share, how we tackle the cost-of-living crisis with lower bills and affordable housing, and how we protect our public services and our green spaces.
“It has to be about offering Makerfield hope over hate.”[3]
Nominations for a replacement candidate open on Saturday, 23rd May, with a selection meeting planned for Bank Holiday Monday 25th.[4]
