Dr Ellie Chowns MP said: “Today and every day the Green Party stands in full solidarity with the Ukrainian people, who have now spent four brutal years defending themselves against Russia’s war of aggression. We pay tribute to their extraordinary strength and bravery in the face of violence, displacement, and attacks on vital infrastructure such as the energy grid.

“We call on the UK government to redouble its humanitarian, diplomatic, and security support for the people of Ukraine, and to continue making every effort in pressing for a just and lasting ceasefire. We further call on the government to use today’s anniversary as an opportunity to defend Ukraine’s right to self-determination in the strongest possible terms on the international stage, making explicit that the UK will stand against any bad-faith actors who attempt to bully or intimidate Ukraine into appeasing Russia’s demands.

“Finally, we recognise the courage of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees living in Britain after fleeing the horrors of war; they too deserve the full support of the UK government, including provision of the security and stability needed to genuinely rebuild their lives, free from fear of their legal rights to remain in the UK being unjustly stripped away.”

The first constituency-specific poll for the Gorton and Denton by-election has today been released by pollster Omnisis, showing the Green Party leading with voters, with Reform in second place and Labour third. 

With undecided or not voting responses removed, Greens held 33% of the vote, Reform on 29% and Labour on 26%. All other parties made up 12% of the vote combined. 

Commenting, Hannah Spencer, Green Party candidate for Gorton and Denton, said

This result matches what we’ve been hearing on the doorsteps. Voters are fed up with Labour, and rejecting Reform’s division. Matt Goodwin has come up from London to spread rubbish about our communities, and by voting Green we can show him how wrong he is. I’m proud to be a Mancunian, proud that we look out for each other and proud that we’re showing the difference a positive and hopeful message can make. If voters choose me on the 26th of February, it would be the honour of my life to represent them in Westminster. 

Zack Polanski, Leader of the Green Party, said
“This election is about hope versus hate. Greens versus Reform. And this poll shows it. If people want to keep Reform out, then they need to vote Green on the 26th February.”

Responding to a U-turn on the cancellation of local elections in England, a Green Party spokesperson said:

“The cancellation of local elections in England was a disgraceful disregard of democracy by Labour. It was always about political self-interest and a fear of the electorate voting against this government and its inability to deliver anything but U-turns.

“It was also another sign of the disturbing authoritarian trend of a caretaker Prime Minister who has overseen moves to scrap jury trials, criminalise peaceful protest and ride roughshod over local planning laws.

“The by-election in Gorton and Denton is showing that support for this shambolic Labour government is in freefall. The old two party system has disintegrated, and the now reinstated local elections will – in many places across England – be between Reform UK and the Green Party.

“Voting is a right, not – as Labour seems to think – a privilege. People will now have their right to decide who should represent them in their local communities and who runs their Councils.”

“The court has ruled that the government’s authoritarian ban on Palestine Action was unlawful. Now it is time for the government to stop criminalising the people protesting a genocide – and start ending the UK’s complicity.

“Over 2,700 people have so far been arrested for holding a sign opposing genocide and the proscription of Palestine Action. Those already charged should have those charges dropped, and the Crown Prosecution should discontinue action against all those arrested.”