Zack Polanski: Open to Andy Burnham Pact.

Zack Polanski, a firebrand leader of the Green Party who has moved the party to the far left, has said he is open to a pact with the Labour Party. Only if Sir Keir Starmer is no longer the Leader and Prime Minister. First, Andy Burnham ( Polanski has expressed a willingness to work with him if he becomes leader and prime minister), who is still the current Mayor of Greater Manchester, will have to contest the seat of Makerfield. And if he is elected to parliament can join the race to challenge Sir Keir Starmer's leadership of the Labour Party.

Other notable figures within the Labour fold are former Health Secretary Wes Streeting and former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who are also thought to be joining the race to challenge Sir Keir.

Polanski has energised the Green Party in a way no other Green Party leader has. Their support, especially among younger progressive voters, has given the party a massive boost. However, more traditional Green voters in the shires and the rural areas are unsure of Polanski or not on his wavelength. Polanski has taken the Greens into areas that were not traditionally regarded as Green Party issues. Like the issue of Palestine, alongside the party's more traditional stance on the environment.

The left-wing think tank "Compass" has come up with the idea of forming a progressive council. It is thought that this coalition, as it were, will be formed to combat the Conservatives and the greater danger of Reform UK. Although the left has had the largest majority since 1979 in 10 elections out of 11, it has only resulted in four election victories. And the four election victories would be by the Labour Party, a left to centre-left party. Although some would argue that under Tony Blair and currently Sir Keir Starmer, the party has veered to the right on some issues.

So, another reason for forming this council will be to combat the unfair voting system of "First Past The Post". Parties, both left and right and in between, have called for a fairer voting system which is more proportional. Andy Burnham, it is thought, is open to the idea of proportional representation, something Zack Polanski also wants. So that's another reason Polanski would be open to working with Burnham.

Progressive parties up for this council are Labour (at least those on the left), the Green Party, the Lib-Dems, SNP, and Plaid Cymru. No official appointments have been made to this council yet. But it is thought Zack Polanski and former Green MP Caroline Lucas would be appointed. It is thought that Andy Burnham will also be one of the appointed members of this council.

"Compass" hosted a meeting introducing this progressive council, where prominent speakers gave speeches. Polanski put his penny's worth in, but Andy Burnham was not able to attend. He was on campaign in the constituency of Makerfield, doing the rounds with potential supporters, trying to galvanise their votes. Reform UK are putting in a candidate themselves, a local plumber. Perhaps taking a leaf out of the Green Party's book, when their colourful female candidate of Gorton and Denton, Hannah Spence, a plumber by trade, won that seat.

Reform UK, according to most polls are out to win the next general election. Can a council of left-wing parties block a Reform victory in the next general election or in any other election, come to that?

In certain areas where parties like the Greens are popular and in coalition with progressive parties, it could be possible. Will this alliance of progressive parties deliver more MPs to parliament to overcome the limiting restrictions of the "First Past The Post" system?

Again, one cannot predict future events; one can speculate, one can project models, or even ask AI to make largely reliable predictions, but at the end of the day, it comes down to votes.

That's real people going into booths, people voting online, or postal votes. That will be the proof that this so-called progressive council (if it survives) has had traction with voters.