Votes are being counted in the Gorton and Denton by-election, with a result expected in the early hours of Friday morning, February 27, 2026. The contest has been described as a close race between the Labour Party, Reform UK, and the Green Party.
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Andrew Gwynne, who had been sitting as an independent Member of Parliament after being suspended from the Labour Party. Gwynne cited “significant ill health” and medical advice as the reason for his departure, stating it was unsafe for him to continue in the role.
What we have is the second parliamentary by-election to take place during Keir Starmer’s premiership, following the 2025 Runcorn and Helsby by-election. Eleven parties fielded candidates in Gorton and Denton, but observers have focused on the three-way competition between Labour, the Green Party, and Reform UK. Political scientist Robert Ford characterized the election as exceptionally difficult to predict, suggesting any of the three parties could emerge victorious.
The Labour Party’s selection process for a candidate was marked by internal contention. Andy Burnham, the current mayor of Greater Manchester, sought the nomination but was ultimately blocked by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC). Commentators suggested Burnham’s bid could have been a pathway back to Westminster and a potential challenge to Starmer’s leadership.
Turnout for the by-election was 47.62%, a marginal decrease from the 2024 general election. Labour campaigned on the message that only they could defeat Reform UK, warning voters that a vote for the Green Party would inadvertently aid Nigel Farage’s party. This strategy echoed a previous unsuccessful approach in the Caerphilly by-election, where Labour cautioned voters against supporting Plaid Cymru with similar arguments.
Angeliki Stogia was selected as Labour’s candidate. Standing for Reform UK was Matt Goodwin, a former academic and current presenter on GB News, who has faced scrutiny for his views on social issues. Hannah Spencer, a Trafford councillor and plumber, represented the Green Party. Before the polls closed, Green Party leader Zack Polanski stated his party was “neck and neck” with Reform UK in their attempt to overturn Labour’s existing 13,000-vote majority, adding that Labour would need to “search their conscience” if Reform UK were to win.
Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell expressed hope that the result would not lead to renewed calls for Keir Starmer to step down, emphasizing the party’s unity during the campaign. However, she too acknowledged the need for Labour to “give a much clearer account” of its values and “redouble our efforts” to communicate its platform to the public.
