Labour has issued a stark warning that Reform UK's candidate for the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election represents "extreme politics," following an endorsement from the far-right activist Tommy Robinson. This development has intensified the political battle in the constituency, with Labour positioning itself as the sole bulwark against what it deems extremist influences.
Endorsement Sparks Political Firestorm
Matt Goodwin, a GB News presenter and former academic, was unveiled earlier this week as Reform UK's candidate for the by-election scheduled for 26 February. The controversy escalated when Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, publicly endorsed Goodwin on social media platform X. Responding to a post by Nick Lowles, CEO of the anti-racism group Hope not Hate, who pledged to campaign vigorously against Goodwin, Yaxley-Lennon wrote: "Vote for Matt."
Labour swiftly seized upon this endorsement, sharing it online with the message: "Tommy Robinson has endorsed Reform’s candidate in Gorton and Denton. Only a vote for Labour can stop him." This move underscores Labour's strategy to frame the election as a choice between mainstream values and extremism.
Reform UK Distances Itself from Robinson
In response, a Reform UK spokesman firmly rejected Robinson's endorsement, stating: "We have consistently been clear on this issue. He isn’t welcome in the party." This stance aligns with previous comments from Nigel Farage, who has distanced himself from Robinson, describing the activist as "not what we need." Despite this, the endorsement has fueled concerns among political opponents and anti-racism organisations.
Hope not Hate has branded Goodwin an "opportunist extremist," while Labour, in a fundraising email seen by The National, argued that his positions do not reflect "mainstream politics" and are "extreme." These criticisms highlight the deepening divisions in the by-election campaign.
Goodwin's Controversial Comments Under Scrutiny
Matt Goodwin's past remarks have come under intense scrutiny, adding fuel to the fire. Last year, he faced criticism after being accused of suggesting that people from minority ethnic backgrounds might not be considered British, even if born in the UK. Following a mass stabbing incident in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, Goodwin, who appears on GB News three times a week, blamed "mass uncontrolled immigration" in a post on X/Twitter.
When it emerged that the suspect was UK-born, Goodwin commented: "So were all of the 7/7 bombers. It takes more than a piece of paper to make somebody 'British'." The Liberal Democrats condemned these statements as "racist rhetoric" and a "disgrace," further polarising the debate around his candidacy.
Historical Context and By-Election Background
Goodwin's political journey includes a notable moment in 2017 when, as a politics professor, he ate pages from his book, Brexit: Why Britain voted to leave the European Union, live on Sky News. This act came after he incorrectly predicted that Labour would not poll as high as 38 per cent under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership; the party ultimately secured 40 per cent of the vote in that general election.
The Gorton and Denton by-election was triggered after former MP Andrew Gwynne stepped down for health reasons. With the vote expected on 26 February, the contest is shaping up to be a heated battle over issues of immigration, national identity, and the boundaries of acceptable political discourse.
As the campaign intensifies, Labour's warnings about extremism and Reform UK's efforts to distance itself from far-right elements are likely to dominate headlines, making this by-election a critical test of public sentiment in a politically charged climate.
