In the Greater Manchester constituencies of Gorton and Denton, a profound sense of political disillusionment is sweeping through communities ahead of a critical by-election that could determine the fate of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership. Lifelong Labour voters, feeling abandoned by a party they once trusted, are now openly contemplating defecting to the Green Party or Reform, putting Labour’s substantial 13,000 majority at serious risk.
A Perfect Storm for Labour
The by-election, triggered by the retirement of former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne on health grounds, comes at a tumultuous time for Sir Keir. Recently engulfed in crisis, he survived intense calls to resign from within his own party following the fallout from the Peter Mandelson scandal. His handling of the saga has further eroded his already precarious popularity, just 19 months after taking office.
Now, Gorton and Denton represent a perfect electoral storm for Labour. The party faces a dual challenge: combating the Green Party in the diverse, suburban areas of Gorton, and fending off Reform in the post-industrial town of Denton within Tameside. Both rival parties are actively courting disenchanted former Labour supporters who feel the government has failed to deliver on its promises.
‘I Would Pack His Suitcase’
Sheila Harrison, a 69-year-old resident of Denton, encapsulates this shift. A lifelong Labour voter, she now declares, “I would pack Keir Starmer’s suitcase for him.” She criticises the prime minister as out of touch with the working class, stating this will be the first time she votes against Labour. Her husband, John Harrison, 71, a retired pipe fitter, describes Britain as “broken,” citing immigration, youth disengagement, and a lack of respect for authority as key issues. He is considering Reform, accusing the government of not honouring its manifesto commitments.
Both Sheila and John express a strong preference for Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, whom they see as more connected to northern voters. John describes Sir Keir as “aloof,” while Sheila emphasises, “He stands for working class people.” However, Mr Burnham’s candidacy was blocked by Labour’s National Executive Committee, a decision that may now cost the party dearly in this seat.
Green Surge in Gorton
On the Gorton side, the Green Party is gaining traction. In Levenshulme, Green signs adorn front gardens, and local shops display campaign posters. Muhammad Basharat, a 61-year-old taxi driver, praises the Greens’ policies on education, foreign affairs, and domestic issues, saying Labour has “disappointed us very much” with tax rises and welfare cuts. Similarly, Jawad Hassan, a 24-year-old care worker, believes a Green vote best serves working people and helps keep Reform at bay, criticising Labour for no longer representing the working class.
Undecided and Alienated
Many voters remain undecided, feeling alienated from the political establishment. Caterina Pandolfo, a 65-year-old mobile hairdresser at Manchester Gorton Market, typically votes Labour but is put off by Starmer’s treatment of Andy Burnham, which she calls “disgusting.” She is unimpressed by Reform’s policies and feels disconnected from all parties, lamenting, “We’re just normal everyday working guys... We’re not flipping multi-millionaires.”
Ian Cooney, a 55-year-old electrical engineer and self-described “union man” from Gorton, didn’t vote in the last general election due to distrust. He says Gorton has become a “dumping ground” with a stigma attached. Leaning towards Reform, he explains, “Labour have done it before, Conservatives have done it before. They’ve offered us A and B and C and it never materialised. Do you give them [Reform] a go and see if they’re true to their word?”
Labour’s Defence
Labour’s candidate, city councillor Angeliki Stogia, acknowledges the challenges but remains confident. She agrees with Sir Keir that the government must “go faster and we need to go deeper” to deliver change. Stogia asserts that only Labour can beat Reform, emphasising, “We’re fighting every door. We’ve got policies. We’re listening to residents on the ground.” However, the Green Party, with candidate Hannah Spencer, disputes this, arguing they offer a viable alternative.
As polling day on 26 February approaches, the disdain for Labour in Gorton and Denton is palpable. With voters like retired midwife Andrea Anwyl, 77, saying she “definitively” would have voted for Burnham and now may opt for Green, the by-election could deliver a final blow to Sir Keir’s premiership. In one of the country’s most deprived constituencies, the outcome will test whether Labour can retain its traditional strongholds or face a seismic shift in voter allegiance.
