Overview
- Green Party leader Zack Polanski unveiled local councillor and plumber Hannah Spencer as the party’s candidate, pitching the race as “Green v Reform” to stop Nigel Farage’s party.
- Nigel Farage campaigned in the constituency with Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin and claimed Labour’s decision to block Andy Burnham boosted Reform’s chances “a thousand‑fold.”
- A FindOutNow poll conducted 26–27 January with 143 respondents reported Reform on 30% and Labour on 27%, an indicative but inconclusive snapshot given the small sample.
- Labour will select its candidate on Saturday after the NEC blocked Burnham, as party figures press a two‑horse narrative against Reform and warn left‑leaning voters against backing the Greens.
- Labour operatives are highlighting Goodwin’s past statements on Britishness, ethnicity and Islam while targeting the Greens’ drug policy, reflecting concern over a Caerphilly‑style vote split.