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Following a significant by-election loss to the Green Party in Gorton and Denton, Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to continue his efforts despite the setback. Labour, which previously secured the Greater Manchester seat with over half the vote in 2024, fell to third place behind Reform UK in the recent election. This outcome marks a major shift in a constituency Labour has held for nearly a century and has sparked renewed calls from some Labour MPs for Starmer to step down from his leadership role.
The Prime Minister described the election result as “disappointing” but emphasized his determination to “fight against extremes in politics” on both ends of the spectrum, which he believes threaten to divide the country. Meanwhile, Green Party leader Zack Polanski highlighted the victory as evidence that there are no longer any “no-go areas” for his party. The winning candidate, Hannah Spencer, echoed this sentiment, stating, “this is only the beginning.” Spencer’s triumph makes her the fifth Green Party MP and the party’s first parliamentarian in northern England.
This defeat comes amid growing pressure on Sir Keir ahead of important elections scheduled for May across Scotland, Wales, and various English councils. Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, considered a possible leadership contender, described the outcome as “a wake-up call,” urging the government to be “braver.” There has been criticism within Labour over the decision to block Andy Burnham, a highly regarded regional figure, from standing in the by-election. Starmer defended the choice, saying, “We had an excellent candidate, absolutely rooted in her community.”
In response to criticism linking the Green Party’s success to divisive politics, Sir Keir accused them of capitalizing on an endorsement from George Galloway’s Workers Party of Britain and engaging in “divisive, sectarian politics.” He also attacked the Green Party’s drug legalization policy and doubted their ability to replicate this victory on a larger scale, citing a lack of resources and grassroots support. However, Spencer rejected claims of sectarianism, asserting that the Greens united voters concerned about the cost of living, public services, and the war in Gaza. The Conservatives experienced their worst by-election showing in the seat, finishing fourth, while Reform UK came in second
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