Reform UK has surged dramatically in recent opinion polls, propelled by its radical pledge to fundamentally reshape the British political landscape. However, the party's ambitious vow to tear up the political map appears to have encountered an early, and somewhat embarrassing, navigational error as it commences a critical Westminster by-election campaign.
A Rally in the Wrong Place
The controversy erupted after Reform UK's chief whip, Lee Anderson, took to social media to post pictures of what he described as a "cold but productive day" for party volunteers in the Gorton and Denton constituency. The seat, left vacant after former minister Andrew Gwynne stood down for health reasons, is a key target for the insurgent party. Anderson's post declared confidently: "Reform UK fear no party. Bring it on."
Local Followers Spot the Error
However, sharp-eyed local followers in Manchester were quick to identify a significant problem. The photographs showed a crowd of approximately 100 Reform activists gathered outside the Stanley House Function Rooms in Audenshaw. This location is not within the boundaries of the Gorton and Denton constituency; it actually falls within the neighbouring Ashton-Under-Lyne seat, represented by Labour's Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner.
This geographical misstep provided immediate ammunition for political opponents. Labour Party chairwoman Anna Turley seized on the error, stating: "Farage's Reform are proving from day one they won't stand up for local residents in Gorton and Denton - they can't even find the constituency on a map."
Reform's Defence and the Campaign Reality
In response to the criticism, Lee Anderson offered a defence to the Mail, explaining the logistical reasoning behind the choice of venue. He stated that the function rooms were used as a base because they offered "a big enough car park to accommodate our volunteers," who had travelled from various locations. Anderson insisted that all volunteers subsequently departed to canvass in the correct Gorton and Denton area, which lies almost half a mile from the rally point.
"There is nothing to see here other than desperation from a desperate party," Anderson asserted. "Over 100 volunteers turned up to campaign in the constituency. A Labour constituency that has had no representation in Parliament for nearly a year. Our volunteers came from far and wide and a location with a big enough car park was chosen just outside the constituency. All volunteers then left to campaign in the constituency."
A Hotly Contested By-Election
The Gorton and Denton by-election, scheduled for February 26th, is shaping up to be a fiercely contested battle. Reform UK, riding high in national polls, is due to announce its candidate at a press conference within the constituency. Meanwhile, the Green Party is also assessing its prospects, particularly after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer blocked the popular Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, from standing as the Labour candidate.
This decision has sparked significant internal controversy for Labour. Mayor Burnham has accused Downing Street sources of lying about the circumstances, denying claims that he was warned the party's national executive committee would reject his candidacy. Despite calls from over 50 MPs for a rethink, Sir Keir's allies have declared the matter "done and dusted."
Broader Political Tensions
The by-election blunder occurs against a backdrop of rising political tensions. Within Labour, there are signs of internal manoeuvring, with Angela Rayner recently delivering a speech urging the party to be "unapologetically Labour." This has been interpreted by some senior figures as positioning for future leadership considerations. Furthermore, tensions with trade unions are simmering, as the new head of Unison, Andrea Egan, has called for a decisive shift to the left within the party.
Senior Labour figures privately acknowledge the party is facing a serious challenge to retain Gorton and Denton, a seat where former MP Andrew Gwynne secured a substantial 13,000 majority in the 2024 general election. With Andy Burnham barred from standing, Labour appears to be struggling to select a high-profile candidate, after Manchester council leader Bev Craig ruled herself out of contention.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has maintained a defiant stance, emphasising that Burnham was refused permission to stand primarily because it would have triggered an unnecessary mayoral election in Manchester, rather than due to any perceived leadership threat. As the February 26th vote approaches, all parties are intensifying their efforts in a contest that has already begun with a memorable, if awkward, false start for Reform UK.
