Keir Starmer has vowed to 'keep on fighting' despite Labour's humiliating defeat in the Gorton and Denton by-election, where the Greens swept past Labour and Reform UK to win. Speaking to reporters, he acknowledged it was a 'disappointing' result and that voters were 'frustrated', but insisted he would carry on. Asked if he had considered resigning, Starmer said: 'I came into politics late in life to fight for change for those people who need it. I will keep on fighting for those people for as long as I’ve got breath in my body.'
Starmer doubled down on anti-Green language used during the campaign, referring to Reform UK and the Greens as 'the extremes of the right and the extremes of the left'. Green leader Zack Polanski described the result as 'an existential crisis for the Labour party', adding: 'No longer can they try and scare people into saying they have to vote for something because they’re worried about the least-worst option.'
Angela Rayner, former deputy prime minister and a key figure on Labour's left, called the result 'a wake-up call', urging colleagues to 'be braver' and 'rededicate' themselves to 'a Labour agenda that puts people first'. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, whose candidate came a distant fourth with just 706 votes, said the result 'shows Keir Starmer’s premiership is finished'. Labour MP Clive Lewis described the defeat as 'a punch in the face', saying: 'This government has burned its base, alienated its core vote, sidelined its activists and stuck two fingers up to the very people we came into politics to represent.'
Greater Manchester Police is reviewing a report about possible 'family voting' in the by-election, after Reform UK made a report to the police. Democracy Volunteers warned it had witnessed 'concerningly high levels' of the illegal practice. Shadow local government minister James Cleverly has written to the Electoral Commission requesting a full inquiry into breaches of electoral law, stating: 'There is clear evidence that electoral offences were committed, and a blind eye was turned to corruption and criminal activity.'
Muslim organisations criticised comments by Reform figures about 'sectarian' voting, with Shaista Aziz of Three Hijabis saying: 'Within moments of the by-election result, there was conflation of paedophile gangs and Muslim voters and so-called family voting. It is disgusting and deeply irresponsible. This is Trumpism turbocharged in the UK.' Meanwhile, Anas Sarwar urged voters to 'hold their nose' and back Labour tactically in May's Holyrood election to oust the SNP, while Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth claimed the Welsh parliament elections will be a straight fight between his party and Reform UK.
