Labour Deputy leader Lucy Powell wrote to Greens Leader Zack Polanski, accusing him of trying to take support from Labour not to win, but to boost his profile nationally
The Greens have been slapped down over “misleading claims” made about their chances in the Gorton and Denton by-election by Labour ’s Deputy Leader.
Lucy Powell wrote to Greens Leader Zack Polanski, accusing him of trying to take support from Labour not to win, but to boost his profile nationally. In a damning letter, the Manchester Central MP, also claimed the Green bar charts were so ridiculous they would even “make your former Lib Dem colleagues blush”.
She said: “I am doing whatever I can to stop the nasty, divisive politics of Reform and Matt Goodwin getting a foothold and platform in my city. A city built on tolerance, openness and “collectivism. However, I fear you are being played by Reform and have a different agenda. You know as well as I do, that the Green Party just doesn’t have the base or the breadth of support across the constituency to win the seat.”
READ MORE: Labour announce by-election candidate as row erupts over Andy Burnham attacksREAD MORE: Voters hit out as Nigel Farage parades divisive candidate while Burnham row deepens
Lucy Powell wrote to Greens Leader Zack Polanski, accusing him of trying to take support from Labour not to win, but to boost his profile nationally.
Ms Powell pointed to numerous claims from the Greens that only they can beat Reform, and a misrepresentation of what others had said. She said: “Your bar charts would even make your former Lib Dem colleagues blush.
“The most recent projection from Election Maps UK for Gorton and Denton suggests the Greens will see the second largest increase in their vote share compared to the 2024 election, behind Reform UK. But it also suggests that Labour will still hold the seat.
“Your claims that respected academic Professor Rob Ford agrees with you are also not true. Prof Ford said that your latest leaflet is ‘misleading and out of context’ and “that you have misrepresented his views.” Your assertions do not reflect the reality on the ground.”
She added: “We all know what’s at stake here. Both Nigel Farage and his candidate in Gorton and Denton, Matt Goodwin failed to reject or denounce the endorsement of the far right racist criminal Tommy Robinson, when repeatedly challenged. That should focus minds. The Greens can’t win here. If you really thought that, you would have stood here yourself (as someone from nearby). Voters won’t forgive you and your disingenuous campaigning will come back to haunt you.”
The Green Party declined to comment.