The Green Party has opted to mount only a minimal campaign in the Makerfield by-election, a move that significantly strengthens Andy Burnham's position as voters prepare to head to the polls on June 18.
While the party has chosen to put forward a candidate, resources will remain limited as attention shifts towards the anticipated contest to replace Mr Burnham as Greater Manchester Mayor.
The decision to scale back efforts in Makerfield comes amid internal disagreement over whether the Greens should be standing in the constituency at all, according to a report in The Guardian.
Sarah Wakefield has been selected to represent the Greens after Chris Kennedy withdrew from the race following controversy surrounding his social media activity.
The party's decision to contest Makerfield has drawn opposition from some of its most prominent figures.
Caroline Lucas, who made history as the first Green MP elected to Westminster, has urged leader Zack Polanski to withdraw from the by-election.
Former co-leader Jonathan Bartley, who led the party between 2016 and 2018, has joined Ms Lucas in calling for the Greens to step aside.
Their intervention highlights the depth of division within the party over its electoral strategy in the constituency.
Andy Burnham has been handed a boost by the Green Party
|GETTY
A joint statement signed by councillors, activists and former party leaders has voiced unease about the decision to stand in Makerfield.
Rupert Read, a former councillor and author, is among those who have added their names alongside Bartley.
"Greens have always put their values and the climate and nature first," the statement declares.
"Which is why we approach the Makerfield by-election with some trepidation."
The signatories contend that Mr Burnham's candidacy presents a rare chance to secure electoral reform.
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The Greens have steeped aside after mounting pressure from senior figures on Zack Polanski
| GETTYTheir assessment of Green prospects is stark: "In all reality, this is not a seat Greens can win.
"It will be a straight fight between Labour and Reform."
Survation polling paints a challenging picture for the Greens, placing them fifth behind Labour, Reform UK, the Liberal Democrats and Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain party.
Burnham commands 43 per cent support, giving the Greater Manchester Mayor a slender three-point advantage over Reform UK on 40 per cent.
Restore Britain sits on seven per cent of the vote.
The fragmentation of the right of British politics could amplify the impact of the Greens' reduced campaign presence.
With multiple parties competing for similar voters, even a modest Green vote share may prove consequential in what polling suggests will be a tight two-way contest.