Polls are now open in the three-way contest for Gorton and Denton in south-east Manchester, in one of the most unpredictable by-elections in recent years.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski claimed his party is “neck and neck” with Reform UK to overturn Labour’s 13,000-vote majority, warning that Labour would need to “search their conscience” if Reform wins.
Keir Starmer’s party has targeted left-leaning voters in this Greater Manchester seat by arguing that only Labour can defeat Nigel Farage’s Reform, suggesting a vote for the Greens is effectively a vote for Reform.
This Labour strategy—claiming the Greens cannot win—mirrors its approach in October’s disastrous Caerphilly by-election, which the party lost to Plaid Cymru despite repeatedly telling voters: “Only Labour can beat Reform.”
Speaking before polls opened at 7 a.m. on Thursday, Polanski accused Labour of deliberately splitting the left-wing vote, arguing that a Green victory would pose an “existential” threat to Starmer.
“It’s looking neck and neck between the Green Party and Reform,” he said. “I don’t think Labour are in this race at all—they’ve known that for a long time.”
Polanski, who grew up in Manchester but chose not to stand in the constituency, said internal party data shows the Greens are slightly behind Reform, with Labour trailing far behind.
“The Labour Party know that the Green Party are on track to win this election, and I think they’re doing everything they can to try and split the vote,” he stated.
“My biggest fear is a scenario where Reform wins by a handful of votes because Labour took just enough support to prevent the Greens from winning.”
A split left-wing vote previously allowed Reform to win the Runcorn and Helsby by-election last May by just six votes.
Labour is defending a 13,413-vote majority in Gorton and Denton, where nearly 80% of voters backed left-leaning parties in the 2024 general election. The result is expected around 4 a.m. on Friday.
Labour councillor Angeliki Stogia was selected as the party’s candidate after Andy Burnham was barred from standing. Reform UK’s candidate is academic and GB News presenter Matt Goodwin, who has faced criticism for his comments on women, Muslims, and British citizenship. The Green Party candidate is Hannah Spencer, a Trafford councillor and plumber.
Professor Will Jennings of the University of Southampton said the race is too close to call and that in Britain’s newly fragmented political landscape, “anything can happen.” He argued that a Labour defeat would be “terminal” for Downing Street’s strategy of appealing to right-leaning voters at the expense of its core progressive supporters.
“It would be a symbol of the failure of that strategy and the end point for it,” Jennings said. “The worst-case scenario for Labour is coming third behind Reform and the Greens, not least because of the decision to stop Andy Burnham from standing.”
A Labour victory, he added, would “staunch that sense of inevitability about the end of Starmer” and could mark a turning point for a government that trails Reform by eight points in the polls and faces a resurgent Green Party.
However, any relief for Starmer would likely be brief, as Labour is expected to suffer heavy losses in local and devolved elections across England, Scotland, and Wales in ten weeks.
During a visit to the constituency on Monday, Starmer called the Greens’ plan to legalise drugs “disgusting,” claiming it would turn parks and playgrounds into “crack dens.”
Polanski said Starmer’s visit “felt very much like spoiler behaviour,” suggesting Labour was pretending to be confident of victory when that is not the case. “I think the Labour Party will have to search their conscience if they’ve allowed the Reform Party to win.”
He also accused Labour of sinking to “a new low” after it posted a social media attack ad featuring a green syringe alongside the text: “Heroin, crack cocaine, spice. Green Party says YES.”The Green party leader called it “the last desperate gasp of a Keir Starmer Labour government.” The byelection was called after Andrew Gwynne resigned in January due to health reasons. The former MP was being investigated by parliament for sending offensive messages in a WhatsApp group of local Labour members.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gorton and Denton Byelection Frequently Asked Questions
Basics Timing
Q What is a byelection and why is this one happening
A A byelection is a special election held to fill a single vacant seat in Parliament between general elections This one is happening because the previous MP for Gorton and Denton has stepped down
Q When are the polls open
A Polling stations are open from 700 AM to 1000 PM on election day You must vote at your assigned polling station
Q When is election day
A Please check your local council website or official election communication for the confirmed date
Q Who can vote in this byelection
A You must be registered to vote be 18 or over on election day be a British Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen and live in the Gorton and Denton constituency
The Candidates Parties
Q Who are the main candidates and parties
A The contest is primarily between candidates from the Green Party the Labour Party and Reform UK Other candidates from parties like the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are also running
Q Why is this called a tight threeway contest
A It means that polls and local analysis suggest the Greens Labour and Reform UK are all polling very close to each other making the result difficult to predict A small number of votes could decide the winner
Q What are the key issues in this byelection
A Local issues like housing public services and infrastructure are always important Nationally topics like the cost of living immigration and climate policy are also playing a significant role in campaigns
How to Vote
Q How do I know if Im registered to vote
A Contact your local electoral registration office at your council If you havent recently moved or changed your details and have voted before you are likely still registered
Q What do I need to bring to the polling station
A You may need to show an accepted form of photo ID such as a passport driving licence or a Voter Authority Certificate Check the official Electoral Commission website for the full list
