Labour has called on Reform UK’s by-election candidate Matt Goodwin to reject the backing of far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. Robinson posted “vote for Matt” on X on Friday, referencing the GB News presenter and former academic.
Labour Party chair Anna Turley wrote to Goodwin, urging him to clarify whether he welcomes the support or publicly denounces Robinson and his views. She said: “Only a full-throated condemnation of Tommy Robinson, and absolute clarity that you do not want his support, will do.” A Reform UK spokesman said the party has been “consistently clear” that Robinson “isn’t welcome in the party”.
The Green Party has launched its candidate, councillor and plumber Hannah Spencer, pitching her as the main option to stop Reform in the Gorton and Denton by-election. Green leader Zack Polanski said: “We have just days to stop Reform and make hope normal again.” Spencer said: “The choice is clear – Green v Reform. Hope v hate.”
Labour won the Greater Manchester seat with 18,555 votes in the 2024 general election, with Reform UK second on 5,142 and the Greens third on 4,810. Nigel Farage joined Goodwin for a walkabout in Denton on Friday, insisting Muslim voters had nothing to fear from Reform, pointing to a Muslim candidate for London mayor.
The Liberal Democrats have named local campaigner Jackie Pearcey as their candidate. Goodwin has previously said that “Britishness requires more than a piece of paper”, while Spencer said she loses sleep over child poverty, not Muslims or trans people.
