Labours grip on heartland voters to be tested in Gorton and Denton by-elections

Greater Manchester by-election set to test UK politics fragmentation

A by-election in northern England’s Gorton and Denton constituency of Greater Manchester is scheduled to take place on February 26, following the resignation of long-serving MP Andrew Gwynne in January. Eleven candidates are vying for the seat, including representatives from various political parties.

The contest has been marked by internal disputes within Labour, with a high-profile dispute over the selection of the party’s candidate. The party’s leadership chose Angeliki Stogia, a local councillor, to defend the seat despite Mayor Andy Burnham’s bid to stand as the candidate being blocked.

Labour commands loyal support in the constituency, according to local resident Khaled Osman, who stated that the party “does a very good job” and is appreciated for its efforts on issues such as refugee support and asylum. However, not everyone shares this sentiment, with Colin Hensey expressing dissatisfaction with Labour’s performance, citing declining local services.

The Green Party has positioned itself as an alternative to Labour, arguing that the governing party has moved away from some of its core values. The far-right Reform UK is also competing, presenting itself as a voice against immigration and crime, while being critical of what it calls a “broken political class”.

Reporting from the constituency, Al Jazeera’s Sonia Gallego noted that every single vote will count in the contest, which appears to be tight. The outcome may reflect growing voter dissatisfaction and internal divisions within UK politics.

The by-election is set to take place on February 26, with voters casting ballots for one of the eleven candidates.

Source: Al Jazeera