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The Green Party has achieved an unprecedented milestone by winning a Westminster by-election for the very first time, marking a significant moment in the history of parliamentary contests held between general elections. This outcome delivers a shock to the Labour Party, whose candidate finished in third place – a deeply disappointing position that is likely to trigger internal reflection. For some within Labour, this result confirms the long-standing fear that their support is being challenged not only by right-wing opponents like Reform UK but also by a growing left-wing force represented by the Green Party.
This dual challenge became apparent in the Gorton and Denton by-election, where Labour’s standing took a notable hit. The Prime Minister now faces two key questions: whether the decision to select the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, as Labour’s candidate was the right one, with some supporters believing his presence could have made a difference; and whether Labour’s focus on countering Reform UK has left it vulnerable to losing the backing of its traditional supporters. At the previous general election in 2024, Labour secured a commanding majority in Gorton and Denton, winning by over 13,000 votes and capturing more than half of the electorate’s support.
The disappointment was felt deeply within Labour, with some MPs beginning their internal assessment during the early hours after the result. One Labour insider stated bluntly, “Keir needs to own this. He’s out of chances.” Another emphasized that “everyone knew the only chance to beat both the Greens and Reform was Andy Burnham,” criticizing Labour’s approach by comparing it unfavorably to Reform UK’s divisive policies. After the declaration of results, Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell quickly engaged with reporters, although the mood was subdued as the party confronted this unwelcome outcome.
Reform UK’s candidate Matt Goodwin also spoke to the press, dismissing the Green Party’s victory as a one-off and describing them as “mad,” while suggesting that they would struggle to replicate this success nationwide in a general election. In contrast, the Greens’ new leader Zack Polanski expressed confidence about the result, reflecting positively on the party’s recent rise in the polls and gearing up for a victory celebration alongside their newly elected MP Hannah Spencer. Meanwhile, the Conservative Party’s performance underscored the changing political landscape, as they garnered a mere 706 votes, only 1.9% of the total—a stark contrast considering they were the governing party just two years prior.
Adding to the post-election discussion is the allegation of significant “family voting” in Gorton and Denton, a practice where voters may influence one another’s choices. Democracy Volunteers highlighted what they called “concerningly high levels” of this activity, though Manchester City Council denied any reports of such issues by polling station staff. Labour Party Chair Anna Turley described these claims as “obviously extremely worrying and concerning,” while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage labeled the by-election outcome “a victory for sectarian voting and cheating,” ensuring debate around the conduct of the vote will continue in the coming days
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