Tensions Flare in Gorton and Denton By-Election as Candidates Clash Over Security and Rhetoric
Gorton and Denton is bracing for a fiercely contested by-election on , with the Labour and Reform UK candidates engaging in a heated exchange over security concerns and accusations of divisive rhetoric. The contest, triggered by the resignation of independent MP Andrew Gwynne, is shaping up to be a three-way battle between Labour, the Green Party, and Reform UK, according to commentators.
The clash occurred during a hustings event hosted by the Manchester Evening News, where Labour’s Angeliki Stogia directly confronted Reform’s Matt Goodwin about the security presence accompanying him. Stogia stated that women in the constituency had expressed fear of leaving their homes due to Goodwin’s statements. “Matthew, how can you be sat here with a couple of security guys following you around? When I, just this morning, was with a group of interfaith women representing our community, who told me that our women in this constituency, they’re scared to leave their house because of the rhetoric that you have been peddling,” she said.
Goodwin defended the security arrangements, citing “very real threats” to his life. He countered by accusing Labour of failing to address issues of exploitation and integration, and suggested that Labour’s “policy of open borders” was putting women and girls at risk. He also launched a sharp attack on Labour’s record, claiming the party had consistently failed to investigate the abuse of working-class children.
The security concerns extend beyond the Reform candidate. Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer revealed she had been accompanied by security after receiving abusive treatment from an individual in the constituency, describing the encounter as involving a “very, very angry” man who shouted abuse at her.
The by-election is taking place in a constituency long considered a Labour stronghold, but recent developments, including the resignation of Gwynne following a scandal and a crisis engulfing the Starmer government linked to Peter Mandelson, have created an opening for other parties. The seat has a 13,000 majority held by Labour.
The hustings also saw pointed exchanges between Goodwin and Spencer. Spencer characterized Goodwin as “an academic, bussed in from the south, spreading that party’s message of division,” while Goodwin repeatedly criticized the Green Party’s policies, specifically alleging they advocated for the legalization of “all drugs, including crack cocaine and heroin.”
A lighter moment occurred when candidates were asked to name their favorite Oasis song, a nod to the Gallagher brothers’ upbringing in Burnage, part of the Gorton and Denton constituency. While the Liberal Democrat and Conservative candidates both opted for the band’s debut album title, “Definitely Maybe,” Labour’s Stogia chose “Supersonic,” prompting a surprising moment of agreement with Goodwin, who also cited the song as a favorite.
The presence of Nigel Farage, who opened Reform UK’s campaign headquarters in the constituency last week, and a heavy security detail at a Reform event featuring MP Lee Anderson, underscores the party’s significant investment in the by-election. The outcome of the vote on is widely seen as a crucial test for Labour and could have implications for the future of Keir Starmer’s leadership.
Gorton and Denton is a diverse constituency, with Muslims accounting for approximately 28% of the population. We see also one of the most deprived areas in England, with a significant proportion of children living below the poverty line.
