Political commentator and GB News presenter Matt Goodwin has been officially announced as Reform UK's candidate for the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election in Greater Manchester. The by-election was triggered following the resignation of former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne, who cited health reasons for stepping down.
A Referendum on Starmer's Leadership
At a press conference in the constituency, Goodwin positioned himself as an outsider candidate, stating: "I am not a career politician. I am not a Tory. I am not part of the establishment. I am not part of the Westminster blob." He went further to describe the contest as a direct challenge to the Prime Minister, declaring: "This by-election is actually a referendum. It's a referendum on Keir Starmer."
Goodwin emphasised his connection with ordinary voters, saying he represented "hard-working taxpayers who are just fed up of watching what is happening to their communities and to their home." He was introduced at the event by Reform UK's chief whip, Lee Anderson.
Political Context and Previous Results
The Gorton and Denton seat was previously held by Labour's Andrew Gwynne, who secured a decisive victory in the 2024 general election with 18,555 votes – representing more than half of the total ballots cast. Reform UK came second in that contest with 5,142 votes, narrowly beating the Green Party who received 4,810 votes.
Labour is due to select its candidate for the Westminster seat on Saturday, with the selection process occurring against a backdrop of internal party discontent. This follows the decision by Labour's National Executive Committee to block Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from standing in the contest, a move that Prime Minister Keir Starmer has defended as necessary to avoid diverting resources from upcoming local election campaigns.
Reform's Strategy and Defections
When questioned about whether he would welcome campaigning support from prominent former Conservative MPs who have recently defected to Reform UK – including ex-chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and former home secretary Suella Braverman – Goodwin offered a nuanced response. He emphasised Reform's identity as a "people's revolt" rather than a rebranded Conservative party.
"My view has always been that the power behind this people's revolt has to, as the name implies, it has to come from the people from across the political spectrum, left, right, centre, none of the above," Goodwin explained. "That's what will give this strength, and ultimately, that's what will fix our political system and fix the country."
He added: "I've never personally viewed, and I don't think people at the top of Reform view it this way – I've never viewed it as a sort of Tory party 2.0. I've got lots of friends in the party who are former Labour people, former Lib Dem people, none of the above people."
Opposition Responses
Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell offered a strong critique of Goodwin's candidacy, stating: "Matt Goodwin represents the kind of politics that will drive a wedge between communities in Manchester. Reform have misjudged the mood around Manchester and they won't put the priorities of working people first. They just offer division, animosity, and hatred – not the unity and pride which our city stands for."
Powell concluded: "Only a vote for Labour can stop Reform's toxic politics and guarantee residents have a local champion that will cut their cost of living as their new Labour MP."
Green Party leader Zack Polanski framed the contest in stark terms, saying: "This by-election is a straight contest between hope and hate. The Green Party will be out campaigning every day, to improve the cost of living by taxing the super rich."
Strategic Significance
The by-election represents a significant test for Reform UK as Nigel Farage's party seeks to convert recent opinion poll leads into tangible electoral success. The contest occurs at a politically sensitive time, with Labour facing internal challenges and Reform attempting to establish itself as a credible alternative to both major parties.
Goodwin's candidacy marks another high-profile entry into electoral politics from the media and academic worlds, reflecting the changing landscape of British politics where traditional party boundaries are increasingly being tested and redefined.
