The Green Party's candidate to replace Andy Burnham as Greater Manchester mayor has vowed to 'prioritise people and planet over profits' if elected. Geraldine Coggins, a member of Trafford council for eight years, has been selected as the Green Party candidate for the by-election on July 30.
By-Election Triggered by Burnham's Success
The vote has been triggered by Mr Burnham's success in the Makerfield by-election on Friday morning (June 19), and the Greens have wasted no time in selecting their candidate. Councillor Coggins was announced the party's candidate at a rally in Manchester alongside party leader Zack Polanski earlier today (Saturday).
Greens Aim to Build Momentum
The Greens are hoping to continue their momentum from February's by-election in Gorton and Denton - which saw Hannah Spencer elected - and May's local elections, when the party won 17 seats and defended one on Manchester council. Outlining her vision for Greater Manchester, Coun Coggins said: "As your Green mayor, I will prioritise people and planet over profits.
"I will work for those who are struggling to make ends meet and to get our high streets buzzing again. I will push back on a broken housing system that is designed to maximise profits, instead of giving people the homes they need, I will go further and faster to get us the world class transport system that we deserve here, and one that works for all our boroughs, not just for the centre. And I will fight for an economy that works for the ordinary people, not the super rich."
Greens Claim to Be Main Challenger
The Green Party says Irish-born Coun Coggins - who represents Altrincham West on Trafford council - is a published academic with a background in leadership, public finance and strategic decision-making. The party is hammering a message that it will be the main challenger to Reform UK in the mayoral by-election rather than Labour.
Coggins: 'Straight Race Between Greens and Reform'
Coun Coggins points to the May local elections, which she says saw Labour 'losing on an existential scale', while she believes a Reform mayor for the region would be a 'disaster'. "Like Gorton and Denton, this is an election that we can win, and like Gorton and Denton, this is going to be a straight race between the Green Party with our message of joy and hope and the toxic divisive politics of Reform," she said.
Potential Impact on National Politics
The by-election comes as Mr Burnham swaps the mayoralty for Westminster, where he is expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer's position as Prime Minister. Coun Coggins believes her election as Mr Burnham's successor would make a difference for the country.
She added: "It will send a very powerful message to Labour in Westminster, and that Green voice will exert a lot of power on whoever is next on the prime minister merry-go-round. Meanwhile, our planet is on fire. We are living through one of the greatest mass extinction events ever.
"This planet, it's our home and it is our life system. And as the first Green mayor of Greater Manchester, I will be putting protecting our world and our communities at the heart of everything we do."
Polanski: 'Hope Versus Hate'
Salford-born Green Party leader Mr Polanski has already described the contest as 'hope versus hate' against Reform. He said: "We know that we need a Green mayor who will build affordable social and council housing, that will lobby and demand from national government rent controls that will look after our high streets and turn them back into the thriving, inclusive, accessible communities that we know that they sometimes can be, and they must always be."
Labour Disputes Green's Claim
Unsurprisingly, Labour has already disputed the Green Party's claim to be the main challenger to Reform, issuing a statement on Friday evening describing the upcoming contest as a 'two-horse race' with itself and Nigel Farage's party. The party also claims that under the supplementary voting system which will be used in the upcoming by-election - which gives voters the chance to pick a second choice - the Greens will not command the same level of support as Labour.
Andrew Western MP, Labour MP for Stretford and Urmston, wrote on Facebook: "The Greens cannot win the mayoralty. Their candidate finished fifth at the last mayoral election, and recent local election results across Greater Manchester placed them behind both Labour and Reform.
"Under the Supplementary Vote system, their support is nowhere near enough to secure victory. The choice is clear: continue Labour's record of delivering for Greater Manchester, or risk everything we've achieved."
Labour Candidate Selection Process
Applications to become Labour's candidate to replace Andy Burnham are open until 5pm on Sunday, before long and short lists are drawn up by the party's National Executive Committee and the Regional Executive, ahead of voting starting on Tuesday. Voting will close on Friday, June 26, before the result is announced.
Manchester council leader Bev Craig - who became the first woman to hold that position in 2021 - is currently considered to be the favourite for the nomination, while Salford mayor Paul Dennett is understood not to be putting himself forward. The M.E.N. understands allies close to Mr Burnham fear Labour could lose the mayoralty if Sir Keir does not set out a timeline for his departure as PM before the by-election takes place.
