What's happened
Voters in Gorton and Denton will elect a new MP on February 26 amid declining Labour support and rising support for Reform UK and Greens. The contest is seen as a test of Keir Starmer’s leadership and could impact the party’s future, with polls showing Labour’s support weakening in the constituency.
What's behind the headline?
The Gorton and Denton byelection exemplifies the shifting landscape of UK politics. Labour’s traditional dominance is under threat as support fractures, driven by voter dissatisfaction and tactical voting. The Green party’s surge indicates a growing appetite for environmental and progressive policies, while Reform UK’s rising support reflects discontent with the current political establishment.
This election underscores the fragility of Labour’s voter base, which is increasingly split between left-leaning and right-leaning alternatives. The Green’s potential to split the anti-Reform vote could be decisive, echoing recent patterns seen in Welsh elections where strategic voting shifted outcomes.
Starmer’s strategy to frame the contest as a battle against Reform UK and the Tories is crucial. However, internal messaging inconsistencies and the rise of third-party candidates threaten Labour’s hold on the seat. The outcome will likely serve as a barometer for Labour’s national support and its ability to adapt to a more fragmented electorate.
Looking ahead, Labour must consolidate its core support while addressing voter concerns about local services and national policies. The result will influence future campaign strategies and could accelerate internal debates about party positioning and messaging.
What the papers say
The Independent highlights Labour’s internal struggles and the importance of the byelection as a test of Keir Starmer’s leadership amid a national crisis. The Guardian’s analysis emphasizes the shifting support among voters, drawing parallels with recent Welsh elections where strategic voting played a decisive role. Sky News provides details on the candidates and the campaign landscape, illustrating the high stakes for all parties involved. Contrasting opinions suggest that Labour’s internal messaging and the rise of third-party candidates like the Greens and Reform UK could reshape the political landscape in this key constituency, with potential implications for the upcoming general election.
How we got here
The byelection was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Andrew Gwynne due to health reasons. Historically a Labour stronghold, the constituency has seen support decline for Labour in recent elections, with rising votes for Reform UK and the Greens. The contest is further complicated by internal party disputes and shifting voter sentiments amid national political crises.
Go deeper
Common question
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Who Are the Candidates in the Gorton and Denton Elections?
The upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election on February 26 is drawing significant attention. With eleven candidates from various parties competing to fill the seat left vacant by MP Andrew Gwynne, voters are eager to know who they will be choosing. This election is not just about individual candidates but also about the shifting political landscape in Greater Manchester. Curious about who’s running and what they stand for? Keep reading to find out more about the candidates, the importance of this vote, and what it could mean for your community.
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Who’s Winning the Gorton Byelection and What Does It Mean?
The Gorton byelection is capturing attention as voters choose a new MP following Labour's candidate resignation. With support shifting away from traditional Labour strongholds and rising numbers for Reform UK and Greens, many are asking what this race signals for local and national politics. Below, we explore the key issues, candidate chances, and what this byelection could mean for the political landscape.
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What Do the Gorton and Denton Byelections Mean for UK Politics?
The upcoming byelections in Gorton and Denton are capturing attention across the UK. With Labour's support waning and rising support for Reform UK and Greens, these contests could signal significant shifts in local and national politics. Curious about what this means for the future of UK politics? Keep reading to find out how these elections might influence policies, party support, and voter behavior.
More on these topics
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The Labour Party, commonly Labour, is one of the two main political parties in the United Kingdom, along with the Conservative Party. It sits on the centre-left of the left–right political spectrum, and has been described as an alliance of social democr
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Reform UK is a populist political party in the United Kingdom. It was founded as The Brexit Party with a focus on Euroscepticism in November 2018, until being renamed on 6 January 2021.
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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Nigel Paul Farage is a British politician. He has been leader of the Brexit Party since 2019, and served as Member of the European Parliament for South East England from 1999 until the United Kingdom's exit from the EU in 2020.
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The Green Party, also known as the Green Party UK, was a Green political party in the United Kingdom.
Prior to 1985 it was called the Ecology Party, and before that PEOPLE. In 1990, it separated into three political parties:
the Green Party of England and
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Andrew Murray Burnham is a British Labour Party politician who has served as Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017. He attended Gordon Brown’s Cabinet as Chief Secretary to the Treasury from 2007 to 2008 and served in the Cabinet as Culture Secretary f
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Zack Polanski is a Green Party of England and Wales politician who has been a member of the London Assembly since May 2021. Polanski is also the national spokesperson for the Green Party for Democracy & Citizen Engagement.
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Angeliki Stogia is a Greek-British Labour Party politician. She has been a Manchester city councillor for Whalley Range since 2012.
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Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county and combined authority area in North West England, with a population of 2.8 million; the third largest in England after Greater London and the West Midlands.
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Andrew John Gwynne is an English Labour Party politician. He has been the Member of Parliament for Denton and Reddish in Greater Manchester since the 2005 general election, when he replaced the retiring Andrew Bennett.