Labour Party chair Anna Turley has issued a direct challenge to Reform UK's candidate in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election, demanding he clarify his position on receiving backing from the far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
A Public Ultimatum from Labour
In a strongly-worded letter addressed to Matt Goodwin, the GB News presenter and former academic standing for Reform UK, Anna Turley pressed for immediate clarity. The correspondence follows a social media post from Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, explicitly urging voters to support Goodwin in the contest.
Turley's letter leaves little room for ambiguity, stating: "Or will you publicly reject it, denounce him and his views in a way you have been reluctant to do before, and make clear that he and his supporters are not welcome on your campaign?"
No Room for Silence or Deflection
The Labour chair emphasised that neutrality is not an acceptable stance in this situation. "Silence on this is not an option. Nor is deflection," she wrote, adding that any attempt to avoid the issue would be interpreted as an unwillingness to confront far-right ideologies.
Turley concluded that only "a full-throated condemnation of Tommy Robinson, and absolute clarity that you do not want his support" would constitute an adequate response from the Reform candidate.
Reform UK's Official Stance
A spokesperson for Reform UK responded by reiterating the party's established position on Robinson, asserting they have been "consistently clear" that "he isn't welcome in the party." This statement, however, did not directly address whether the party's candidate would personally reject the activist's endorsement.
The Greens Position Themselves as the Alternative
Amidst this political controversy, the Green Party has launched its campaign, presenting itself as the primary choice for voters aiming to prevent a Reform UK victory. Party leader Zack Polanski introduced councillor Hannah Spencer, a 34-year-old plumber, as their candidate, declaring there are "just days to stop Reform."
Polanski praised Spencer as someone who "genuinely wants to roll up her sleeves and work for the community," framing the contest as a pivotal moment for the constituency.
A Clear Choice: Hope Versus Hate
Hannah Spencer characterised the by-election as a binary decision between her party and Reform UK. "The choice is clear – Green v Reform. Hope v hate," she stated, claiming that only the Greens can realistically block Reform's advance in this particular seat.
She criticised Reform as "a party that loves Trump, that is backed by big finance and an extreme candidate who sees this place as just a rung on the radical right career." In contrast, Spencer outlined her own priorities, stating: "Muslims don't keep me awake at night. I don't lose sleep over trans people trying to exist in peace. What keeps me up at night is child poverty."
Farage Addresses Muslim Voter Concerns
Reform UK figurehead Nigel Farage, who accompanied Matt Goodwin on a campaign walkabout in Denton, sought to reassure Muslim voters about his party. He pointed to the selection of a Muslim woman as Reform's candidate for the London mayoral contest as evidence of the party's inclusivity.
"So, no, there are plenty of members of the Muslim community who will vote for Reform, support Reform," Farage asserted, countering suggestions that the party might alienate minority voters.
Electoral Context and Other Candidates
The by-election follows Labour's decisive victory in the Greater Manchester seat during the 2024 general election, where they secured over half the votes. Reform UK finished in second place with 5,142 votes, narrowly ahead of the Green Party's tally of 4,810.
Completing the field of candidates, the Liberal Democrats have selected local campaigner Jackie Pearcey to contest the seat, adding another dimension to what promises to be a closely watched and politically charged by-election campaign.
