Gorton and Denton By-Election: Three-Way Race Tests Labour

MANCHESTER (Azat TV) – Voters in Greater Manchester’s Gorton and Denton constituency head to the polls on Thursday, February 26, 2026, in a pivotal by-election that has transformed into an unexpected three-way contest, placing significant pressure on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and potentially reshaping the national political landscape.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Andrew Gwynne, who secured the seat in 2024 with a commanding 51% of the vote. However, recent polling suggests the Labour Party, once considered unassailable in this historically safe seat, is now battling for survival against a surging Green Party and a resurgent Reform UK.

Labour’s Desperate Fight in Gorton and Denton

Labour has committed an unprecedented level of resources to the Gorton and Denton campaign, a clear indication of the high stakes involved. Sir Keir Starmer himself made a rare pre-election appearance in the constituency just days before the vote, a move political observers describe as highly unusual for a sitting prime minister. This intensive effort highlights the party’s struggle to maintain its grip on what was its seventh safest seat in the UK Parliament, where it previously won over 50% of the vote in the 2024 general election, 37 percentage points ahead of Reform UK.

Adding to the campaign’s intensity, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown was also deployed in a last-minute effort to rally support, a tactic reminiscent of his intervention in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. A torrent of Labour MPs, ministers, and cabinet members have descended upon the constituency, underscoring the party’s desperation to avoid a potential third-place finish, which could have severe repercussions for Starmer’s leadership, less than two years after a historic general election victory, according to The Independent.

The Three-Way Challenge: Greens, Reform UK, and Labour

The Gorton and Denton by-election is unique for its genuine three-way dynamic. Recent polling, though not decisive, places Zack Polanski’s Green Party in the lead with 22%, followed by Nigel Farage’s Reform UK at 20%, and Labour trailing at 18%, with a significant 31% of voters still undecided, as reported by The Guardian. This represents a dramatic shift from the 2024 general election results, where the Greens finished third with 13% and Reform UK second with 14%.

Labour’s candidate, local councillor Angeliki Stogia, faces Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer and Reform UK’s Matthew Goodwin. The campaign has been overshadowed by various controversies, including ongoing questions surrounding Starmer’s judgment regarding Peter Mandelson’s past associations, and allegations against Reform UK candidate Matthew Goodwin. The Guardian reported that Goodwin, a presenter at GB News, faced accusations of making inappropriate comments, for which he later apologised. He has also drawn criticism for his stance on minority ethnic backgrounds and ‘Britishness.’

Historical Context and Future Implications

The Gorton and Denton constituency, created at the 2024 general election, replaced much of the former Manchester Gorton seat, which Labour had held continuously since 1935. This long history of Labour dominance makes the current struggle particularly stark. The party’s recent loss of the Runcorn & Helsby seat in May 2025 to Reform UK by a mere six votes serves as a potent reminder of the fragility of traditional strongholds.

A victory for Reform UK in Gorton and Denton would bring their total number of MPs to nine, matching the Scottish National Party. If Reform achieves more than 38.7% of the vote, it would mark the party’s highest-ever vote share in a by-election. Conversely, a Green Party victory would be particularly worrying for Labour, as it could signal a significant realignment of British politics, validating the Greens as a viable left-wing alternative, especially for tactical voters.

Regardless of the outcome, the Gorton and Denton by-election is being closely watched for its potential to signal shifts in voter sentiment across the UK, especially concerning the Labour Party’s ability to retain its core support amidst growing disillusionment and the rise of alternative parties on both the left and right.

The scale of Labour’s intervention, including the Prime Minister’s direct involvement, underscores the belief within the party that the Gorton and Denton by-election is not merely a local contest but a critical test of its national standing and the resilience of its political dominance, with a loss potentially triggering profound internal consequences.