The Green Party has announced its candidates for the six Manchester constituencies at the upcoming general election on Thursday 4th July.
The six candidates selected by Manchester Green Party members are:
- Blackley and Middleton South – Dylan Lewis-Creser
- Gorton and Denton – Amanda Gardner
- Manchester Central – Ekua Bayunu
- Manchester Withington – Sam Easterby-Smith
- Manchester Rusholme – Thirza Asanga-Rae
- Wythenshawe and Sale East – Melanie Earp
Scott Robinson, Chair of Manchester Green Party, said, “In recent years, more and more people have realised that far from being just about the environment, the Green Party stands for a way of doing politics totally differently and for pragmatic, proven policies that can transform our country.
“It’s clear for everyone to see that our country is in a total mess: politics as usual hasn’t worked. We need a new approach. That’s why the Green Party has grown so rapidly – we’ve seen a surge in Green Party politicians elected at all levels over the last couple of years, and we can see the same at this general election.
“Only the Green Party has a credible plan to sort out all of the major problems we face. Tackling the cost of living crisis also means rapid action to tackle the climate emergency, and both of these things connect to building a much fairer Britain.
“If you agree with us that the time has come for a genuinely different approach that will get Britain back on its feet after the turmoil of recent years, please vote Green on 4th July for real hope and real change.”
Our key policy areas
Climate and Nature
We will defend nature and urgently tackle the climate emergency, with an understanding that protecting our planet will also lead to better lives for all our citizens.
Housing
Affordable homes for everyone, in the right place and protection for renters through rent controls and an end to no-fault evictions.
Gaza
We have consistently called for a ceasefire and the release of all hostages since the beginning of the current conflict between Israel and Palestine, and will continue to do so as parliamentarians.
Standard of Living
We support common-sense steps like increasing Universal Credit by £40 a week and bringing up the minimum wage to £15 an hour for everyone over 16.
NHS
Push for proper funding to bring down waiting times and ensure everybody can see a GP & dentist.
Water Quality
We will protect our seas and rivers from sewage dumping by bringing water companies back into public hands.
Our candidates
Dylan Lewis-Creser (Blackley and Middleton South)
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I am standing in Blackley & Middleton South because we deserve politicians who will stand up for people and planet over profit, and who will represent their communities faithfully in Parliament.
As a Green Party MP, I would be free to stand up and vote with my conscience and in line with your views, rather than having my vote decided for me by party leadership. With a vote for me, you get a vote for principled politics, supporting social justice and fighting for a fairer Britain.
We deserve better from our politics, and I am determined to offer that in Blackley & Middleton South. On the 4th July, vote for principles – vote Green.
Amanda Gardner (Gorton and Denton)
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Amanda was born and raised in Denton, now living in Levenshulme within the Denton & Gorton constituency. Working in the Health and Safety sector with a focus on residential fire safety, she is an advocate for tighter regulations for landlords – namely energy improvements to living standards and energy efficiency.
Amanda is a keen gardener such is her moniker, and as a former chef loves to cook and bake for her friends and family. Amanda wants a focus on well-connected travel links around the constituency that benefit everyone who lives there, either by taking cars off the road to relieve congestion with fully functioning and accessible railway lines and bus corridors, or promoting safe walking and cycling routes for those who are able.
If elected, Amanda would strive to tackle the inequality felt by the residents of Denton and Gorton across the constituency, advocating for cleaner streets, support with the cost of living, and a focus on fairer housing.
Ekua Bayunu (Manchester Central)
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I served on Manchester City Council for 3 years as a Manchester Central councillor and Deputy Leader of the Green Group of councillors.
I can now focus this experience on serving the wider communities of Manchester Central. I will be proud to be your advocate in Westminster and because the Green Party knows that there is no climate justice without social justice, I can make pledges that help both people and planet.
I am a 62yr old woman of mixed Nigerian and Irish heritage, born and raised in England, who has lived and worked across Manchester for the last 31 years. I am Muslim, Christian, queer and socialist.
I moved to Central Manchester with 2 young children, who went on to study at Salford and Manchester Metropolitan Universities and now have children of their own. As a grandparent I believe its our duty to consider the needs of future generations and it’s this foundation of responsibility that led me to joining the Green Party.
I chair and am a founding member of Global Arts Manchester, an arts organisation which promotes systemic and structural change through the arts. I am also a practising artist in my own right.
I am a passionate housing activist, long term member of the Moss Side branch of Greater Manchester Tenants Union and I also chair the Union’s anti-racism committee helping ensure the union serves all its membership and also supports our engagement in the wider community of active antiracist work being done across the city region.
Thirza Asanga-Rae (Manchester Rusholme)
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Thirza Amina Asanga-Rae is a Nigeria born UK national and a parent governor at a local primary school where she also set up the PTA. As a housing community organiser with GMTU, she has seen first hand the housing crisis we face. She founded a charity that seeks to stop the school to prison pipeline that young people face in inner cities.
Thirza’s passion lies in social justice. This has fueled a lifetime of activism, from representing members as a trade union officer in the railway industry for over 20 years to becoming active in mainstream politics, chairing local women committees and most recently campaigning in local elections. She has lived in Moss Side since early childhood and understands the needs of Manchester Rusholme.
Sam Easterby-Smith (Manchester Withington)
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Sam is our candidate for Manchester Withington, also covering Ladybarn, Old Moat, Chorlton and Didsbury. Sam has lived in Withington itself for over 10 years and is extremely proud to be standing up for our community in the General Election.
Sam is particularly focussed on walking, cycling and public transport. Ensuring that our streets are safe and livable for people. He is a firm advocate for building sustainable transport infrastructure from cycleways to railways, to achieve our long term climate and mobility goals. He’s not one to shy away from controversial topics, and was a strong advocate for the Withington Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme.
Sam also supports the preservation and creation of green spaces. He campaigns locally to improve access to parks and nature.
Professionally, Sam is a software engineer and has a deep understanding of the tech industry. He is working with the Green Party on our Digital Bill of Rights: to ensure fairness, equality, privacy and safety from the digital services and devices that we all rely on.
Melanie Earp (Wythenshawe and Sale East)
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Mel has experience of being a parliamentary candidate, having run in Manchester Central against Lucy Powell in 2019. She has also been a candidate in Hulme in local elections.
Mel is best known for being the Green Party candidate for Greater Manchester Mayor in 2021, standing against Andy Burnham. In that election she attended 27 hustings and numerous radio, TV and newspaper interviews setting out the Green vision for our city region.
Elsewhere in the Green Party, Mel is the Co-Chair of Green Party Regional Council and a member of Standing Orders Committee.