Voters in a hotly-contested by-election have voiced opposition to Nigel Farage and his Reform candidate Matthew Goodwin, as the Labour Party faces internal divisions over blocking Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from standing. The by-election in Gorton and Denton, Greater Manchester, will be held on February 26 after suspended Labour MP Andrew Gwynne stepped down.
Locals expressed dismay at Farage's presence. Juliana Awoyemi, 57, said: 'I’m horrified Farage and his candidate are here. What Goodwin said was disgusting.' Jane Harris, 27, added: 'I’m disgusted by Farage and his candidate. We are a very mixed area and we don't want anyone stirring up racial tension.'
However, some voters backed Reform. Market stall holder Ann Duckers, 70, said: 'I wish I had seen Farage and Goodwin as they’ll be getting my vote. There is too much illegal immigration in this country now.' Bernie Scanlon, 61, a former nurse, said: 'I voted Labour in the past but I don't think I will this time. From what people have been saying, I think Reform are going to win here.'
Labour leader Keir Starmer insisted the contest is a two-way fight between Labour and Reform, despite the Greens claiming to be best placed. He said: 'Reform have chosen their candidate and you can see from that candidate that what they will have as their campaign is a politics of division and toxic divide.' Labour will unveil its candidate on Saturday, with Bury Council leader Eamonn O'Brien and councillor Angeliki Stogia as final contenders.
Matthew Goodwin sparked a racism row last year by claiming people born in the UK are not necessarily British, and has been backed by far-right agitator Tommy Robinson. The Green candidate is plumber Hannah Spencer.
