Labour's Angeliki Stogia: Gorton and Denton Byelection a Straight Fight Against Reform
In the bustling heart of Greater Manchester, the upcoming Gorton and Denton byelection has crystallised into a pivotal battle between Labour and Reform UK, according to Labour candidate Angeliki Stogia. With over 30 years as a Manchester resident, Stogia emphasises that the city's core values of solidarity, inclusivity, and fairness are on the ballot, directly contrasting with what she describes as Reform's poisonous and divisive politics.
A Clear Two-Horse Race Emerges
Stogia asserts that despite a crowded field of candidates, the contest is unmistakably a two-horse race. Labour's extensive grassroots campaign has involved volunteers knocking on more than 60,000 doors and engaging in real conversations with over 30,000 voters. This door-to-door effort, she notes, provides concrete data revealing that voters are primarily choosing between Labour's community-focused platform and Reform's grievance-based agenda.
"The decision facing voters in Gorton and Denton is not fragmented across multiple parties," Stogia states. "It is a straight fight between a Labour party rooted in Manchester's values and a Reform campaign built on division."
Criticism of Reform and Green Candidates
Stogia sharply criticises Reform candidate Matthew Goodwin, highlighting his controversial statements, such as suggesting that being British requires being white and proposing taxes on women without children. She argues these views are fundamentally at odds with Manchester's diverse and inclusive character, a city built by generations from across the globe.
"That is not Manchester," she declares, pointing out that Goodwin's election address lists Hertfordshire as its base, questioning his local connection. Meanwhile, she dismisses the Green candidate, Hannah Spencer, for contesting local elections in another part of the city while running in Gorton and Denton, accusing the Greens of offering promises rather than delivery.
The Stakes for Manchester's Future
The byelection, Stogia warns, is not a mere sideshow but a critical moment that will signal the direction for Manchester's communities. She frames the choice as one between Labour's practical solutions—addressing cost-of-living issues, safe streets, housing, and public services—and Reform's culture wars that risk turning neighbour against neighbour.
"Every vote that fragments the opposition to Reform risks making it easier for divisive politics to gain ground in a city that has always stood against it," she cautions. Stogia calls on voters to reaffirm Manchester's historic values of solidarity and diversity, ensuring the city remains open, confident, and outward-looking.
In conclusion, Stogia urges residents to vote for hope and unity, emphasising that this decision will resonate beyond Gorton and Denton, shaping the kind of Manchester they want to build together.
