Labour Writes Off Gorton & Denton By Election Starmer Admits
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has publicly backed Labour’s newly selected candidate for the Gorton and Denton by election after being blocked from standing himself.
In a post on X, Mr Burnham congratulated Manchester councillor Angeliki Stogia, saying he was confident she would “do a great job” and pledging his support during the campaign.
The endorsement follows a decision by Labour’s National Executive Committee to prevent Mr Burnham from contesting the seat. As an elected mayor, he required party approval to stand in a parliamentary election. The NEC voted against his request a day after it was submitted.
By election triggered by resignation
The by election, scheduled for 26 February, was triggered by the resignation of former MP Andrew Gwynne, who stepped down citing health reasons.
Ms Stogia was formally announced as Labour’s candidate on Saturday. Speaking at her launch event, she described herself as a “proud Mancunian woman” and said the contest was about unity and rejecting division.
“This is about Manchester,” she said. “Manchester is a city united. We are rejecting division, and I am so looking forward to going out on the doorstep and winning this for Labour.”
Ms Stogia currently represents the Whalley Range ward on Manchester City Council and previously stood as a Labour candidate in Chester South and Eddisbury at the 2024 general election, where she was defeated by the Conservatives.
Political tensions within Labour
Mr Burnham’s potential return to Westminster had been widely viewed as a possible future challenge to Labour leader and prime minister Keir Starmer.
The NEC defended its decision to block Mr Burnham by arguing that his election as an MP would trigger a mayoral by election in Greater Manchester, diverting party resources from other priorities.
Mr Burnham has said he accepted the ruling, despite believing he was well placed to counter Reform UK’s growing influence in the area. He told BBC Radio Manchester that his intention had been to “fight the politics of Reform” rather than undermine the government.
The decision has caused unease within Labour, with around 50 MPs reportedly signing a letter criticising the NEC’s move.
Starmer attacks Reform UK
Asked during the final leg of his recent trip to East Asia whether the by election should be seen as a test of his leadership, Sir Keir rejected the idea and instead framed the contest as a battle between Labour and Reform UK.
He accused Reform of pursuing what he called a “politics of poisonous division”, pointing to apparent support for Reform candidate Matt Goodwin from far right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon.
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“That tells you everything about the politics they intend to inject into this by election,” Sir Keir said. “Labour will fight for renewal, inclusive communities and true patriotism, not the plastic patriotism of Reform.”
A Reform UK spokesperson said the party has been “consistently clear” that Mr Robinson is not welcome.
Sir Keir did not confirm whether he would campaign in person in the constituency.
The race for Gorton and Denton
Gorton and Denton has been a Labour held seat since before the Second World War. At the 2024 general election, Labour won with 18,555 votes. Reform UK came second with 5,142 votes, narrowly ahead of the Greens on 4,810.
Alongside Ms Stogia and Mr Goodwin, the Green Party is fielding councillor Hannah Spencer, while local campaigner Jackie Pearcey is standing for the Liberal Democrats.
Labour figures say they are confident of retaining the seat but acknowledge growing competition from Reform UK and the Greens as the campaign gets under way.
A full list of candidates will be confirmed as nominations close.
