2026 Gorton and Denton by-election

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2026 Gorton and Denton by-election
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26 February 2026
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Gorton and Denton
 
Dr Matthew Goodwin - Chatham House 2011.jpg
CandidateTBD Matt Goodwin TBD
Party Labour Reform Green
Last election50.8%14.1%13.2%
North West England - Gorton and Denton constituency.svg
Boundary of Gorton and Denton in North West England
Incumbent MP

Andrew Gwynne
Independent [a]



A by-election for the United Kingdom parliamentary constituency of Gorton and Denton will be held on Thursday, 26 February 2026. [1] [2] It was triggered by the resignation of Andrew Gwynne, who was sitting as an independent following his suspension from the Labour Party in February 2025. [3] Gwynne said his resignation was due to 'significant ill health', and advice from his doctor that it was unsafe for him to return to work. [3] He was appointed Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead [b] the following day. [4]

Contents

It will be the second parliamentary by-election during Keir Starmer's tenure as prime minister, after the Runcorn and Helsby by-election of 1 May 2025.

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, applied to be the Labour Party candidate, but his candidacy was blocked by the party's National Executive Committee (NEC). [5]

Background

Gorton and Denton is a predominantly urban constituency in Greater Manchester, containing electoral wards of both the City of Manchester and the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside. [6] It contains such areas as Burnage, Denton, Gorton, Levenshulme and Longsight. [7] Muslims account for some 28% of the constituency's population. [8]

Andrew Gwynne was first elected as the Labour MP for the constituency of Denton and Reddish in the 2005 general election, and was re-elected to the seat for the four subsequent parliaments. Denton and Reddish was abolished in the 2023 Periodic Review. [9] [10] In the 2024 general election, Gwynne won the new constituency of Gorton and Denton with 50.8% of the vote and a majority of 13,413. [11]

Gwynne served in the Starmer ministry as a health minister until February 2025, when he was dismissed from his ministerial role and suspended from the Labour Party as a result of comments he made in a private WhatsApp group. [12] Following his suspension, Gwynne sat as an independent MP in the House of Commons. [13]

Speculation began in mid-2025 that Gwynne would stand down on health grounds so that Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, could stand in his seat. In September 2025, Gwynne denied that he would stand down and rejected the idea. [14] There was also speculation that Burnham's allies were drawing up a list of possible constituencies where he could run in a by-election, including Gwynne's; at the time, Gwynne said he had no intention of standing down before the 2026 local elections in May. [15]

On 22 January 2026, Gwynne announced his resignation, citing 'significant ill health' and advice from his doctor that it was unsafe for him to return to work. [3] He was appointed Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead [b] the following day. [16] The election was formally called by Manchester City Council on 28 January. [1]

Candidates

The final list of candidates will be published on 3 February 2026 at 5pm GMT. [17]

Labour Party

Following media and public speculation, Andy Burnham, the incumbent mayor of Greater Manchester and former MP for Leigh, requested approval to stand as Labour's candidate on 24 January. [18] As a sitting Combined Authority Mayor, the party's rules required him to seek the approval of the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) before putting himself forward for selection as a parliamentary candidate. The NEC met on 25 January and voted 8–1 against Burnham's candidacy. [5] In the vote, NEC Chair and home secretary Shabana Mahmood abstained, Prime Minister Keir Starmer voted against, and deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell voted for allowing Burnham to stand. [5] Burnham expressed his disappointment and concern about the impact of the ruling for Labour in the 2026 United Kingdom local elections, the 2026 Scottish Parliament election and 2026 Senedd election. [5] After the decision to block Burnham from standing as a Labour candidate, 50 Labour MPs and half a dozen Labour peers signed a letter objecting to the NEC's decision. [19]

The by-election had been framed by the media as a route for Burnham to return to Westminster and potentially challenge Starmer for the Labour leadership. [20] [21] Labour figures were reported to be concerned that Burnham's candidacy would trigger a by-election for the position of mayor, which would be expensive and politically risky for the party: MP Graham Stringer expressed his reluctance to let Reform UK "have a go" at winning the mayoralty. [20] Burnham's application to stand in the by-election was supported by some senior Labour figures, including former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Powell, and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. [22] [23] Labour sources also stated concerns to the BBC about the prospect of a "divisive campaign". [5] Andrea Egan, the general secretary of the Unison trade union, warned against any potential "stitch-up" in Labour's selection process. [24] Mainstream, a group associated with Burnham, [25] launched a petition to Mahmood calling for a "fair, democratic and open selection". Momentum also expressed support for Burnham's candidacy. [26]

Following Burnham's exclusion, the longlist of Labour candidates consisted of Manchester City Councillors Rabnawaz Akbar, Abid Latif Chohan, Julie Reid, and Angeliki Stogia, as well as Eamonn O'Brien, the leader of Bury Council. [27] According to journalist Michael Crick, as well as the Manchester Evening News , the final shortlist consists of O'Brien and Stogia. [28] [29] [30] The selection will take place on 31 January at a local party hustings. [31]

Green Party

The Green Party candidate will be selected democratically by the local party and will be announced on 30 January, [32] [33] with leader Zack Polanski ruling himself out despite earlier speculation. [34] [35] The party will likely choose between Hannah Spencer, a Trafford councillor and plumber who was the Green candidate in the 2024 Greater Manchester mayoral election, and Mothin Ali, the party's co-deputy leader and a Leeds councillor, with selection taking place at an online hustings event on 29 January. [36] [37] [38]

Reform UK

Matt Goodwin, a conservative political commentator, right-wing activist, [39] GB News presenter and former professor at the University of Kent, [40] [41] was announced as the Reform UK candidate at a press conference with chief whip Lee Anderson on 27 January. [42] Goodwin has been criticised for stating that UK-born people from ethnic minority backgrounds are not necessarily British. [43] [44]

Previously, Zia Yusuf had been speculated as a potential candidate. [45]

Workers Party

The Workers Party said it will choose its candidates from a list of four contenders, which includes party leader George Galloway and Shahbaz Sarwar, a local councillor representing Longsight ward on Manchester City Council. [46] On 27 January, BBC News reported incorrectly that Sarwar was chosen as the candidate, when a candidate was yet to be chosen. [46] [47] Prior to the Labour NEC decision, Galloway said he would stand if Burnham were chosen as the Labour candidate. [48]

Campaign

Reform campaign

Reform UK's only councillor on Tameside Council, Allan Hopwood, said the party had been planning for a by-election for months prior. [49]

During Reform's campaign, chief whip Lee Anderson was criticised by former Labour deputy prime minister Angela Rayner for posting photos on social media claiming to be campaigning in Gorton and Denton, when the group were actually in Rayner's constituency of Ashton-under-Lyne. [50] [51] In response, Anderson commented: "Over 100 volunteers turned up to campaign in the constituency ... [who] came from far and wide and a location with a big enough car park to accommodate our volunteers was chosen just outside the constituency. All volunteers then left to campaign in the constituency." [52] [ better source needed ]

Green campaign

The Green Party have described the by-election as a "Reform–Green battle", and began canvassing in the seat on 25 January. [34] The pressure group The Muslim Vote endorsed the Greens ahead of a formal candidate announcement, [53] and PoliticsHome reported that Your Party is discussing endorsing the Greens. [54]

Zack Polanski formally launched the Green Party campaign on 27 January at a rally. [55] The party was criticised for misspelling the constituency as "Gorten and Denton" on signage at the rally. [56]

Labour campaign

On 27 January, Labour shared a video on social media of Matt Goodwin saying at the 2025 Reform UK conference that he was "unfortunate enough to be in Manchester a few days ago", and captioned the video "This is what Reform's latest candidate thinks about where he's standing to represent". [57] In response, Goodwin said that the video was misleading and that he was referring to the 2025 Conservative Party conference, which was held in Manchester. Reform said that they reported the video to the Greater Manchester Police under Section 106 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 as a "false statement of fact" against their candidate. [58]

Previous result

General election 2024: Gorton and Denton [59] [60] [61]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Andrew Gwynne 18,555 50.8 −16.4
Reform Lee Moffitt5,14214.1+9.2
Green Amanda Gardner4,81013.2+10.7
Workers Party Amir Burney3,76610.3N/A
Conservative Ruth Welsh2,8887.9−11.0
Liberal Democrats John Reid1,3993.8−2.0
Majority 13,41336.7−11.7
Turnout 36,56046.8−14.9
Registered electors 78,125
Labour hold Swing −12.8

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Although elected for Labour in 2024, Gwynne was sitting as an independent MP at the time of his resignation.
  2. 1 2 One of two offices to which MPs can be appointed that effectively trigger their resignation from the House of Commons, as resignation in its own right is not permitted by law.

References

  1. 1 2 Stannard, Tom (28 January 2026). "Notice of Election: Gorton and Denton by-election". Manchester City Council . Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  2. ↑ Stacey, Kiran; Walker, Peter (26 January 2026). "Starmer defends Labour decision to bar Burnham from byelection". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Zeffman, Henry; Watson, Iain (22 January 2026). "MP stands down potentially paving way for Burnham's return". BBC News. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  4. ↑ Taylor, Harry (24 January 2026). "Andy Burnham applies to stand for Labour in Gorton and Denton byelection". The Guardian .
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Nevett, Joshua; Mason, Chris (25 January 2026). "Andy Burnham 'disappointed' after bid to become MP blocked". BBC News. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  6. ↑ "Andy Burnham plans to stand in Gorton & Denton by-election" . The Times . 24 January 2026. Archived from the original on 24 January 2026. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  7. ↑ "Location of Gorton and Denton (Constituency)". MPs and Lords. UK Parliament. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  8. ↑ Halliday, Josh (23 January 2026). "Can Andy Burnham calm the anger in a Manchester seat Labour fears losing?". The Guardian .
  9. ↑ "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume one: Report – North West". Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  10. ↑ "Constituency Changes: Gorton and Denton". Parallel Parliament. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  11. ↑ "Gorton and Denton – General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  12. ↑ "Andrew Gwynne sacked as health minister over comments posted on a WhatsApp group". Sky News. 9 February 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  13. ↑ "Parliamentary career for Andrew Gwynne - MPs and Lords - UK Parliament". members.parliament.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  14. ↑ Topping, Stephen (20 September 2025). "Andrew Gwynne breaks silence over rumours he would step aside for Andy Burnham". Manchester Evening News . Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  15. ↑ Halliday, Josh (14 December 2025). "Labour's Andrew Gwynne says he has no plans to give up seat for Andy Burnham". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  16. ↑ Taylor, Harry (24 January 2026). "Andy Burnham applies to stand for Labour in Gorton and Denton byelection". The Guardian .
  17. ↑ "The next election - Gorton and Denton By‑Election". Manchester City Council. 28 January 2026. Archived from the original on 28 January 2026. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  18. ↑ Taylor, Harry (24 January 2026). "Andy Burnham applies to stand for Labour in Gorton and Denton byelection". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  19. ↑ Wheeler, Richard; Seddon, Paul (27 January 2026). "Fifty Labour MPs sign letter objecting to Andy Burnham decision". BBC News. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  20. 1 2 Nevett, Joshua (23 January 2026). "Andy Burnham faces decision on bid to return as MP". BBC News. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  21. ↑ Coates, Sam (23 January 2026). "Andy Burnham, next PM? The big hurdle facing popular mayor". Sky News. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  22. ↑ Devlin, Kate (24 January 2026). "Burnham says he plans to stand in by-election". The Independent. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  23. ↑ Whannel, Kate (24 January 2026). "Andy Burnham seeks permission to stand in by-election". BBC News. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  24. ↑ Mason, Rowena (23 January 2026). "Union boss warns against Labour 'control-freakery' over Andy Burnham". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  25. ↑ Eaton, George (8 September 2025). "Andy Burnham gets a campaign machine". The New Statesman. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  26. ↑ Green, Daniel (24 January 2026). "Andy Burnham seeks permission to stand in Gorton and Denton by-election". LabourList. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  27. ↑ Davies, Ethan (27 January 2026). "Five councillors named on Labour's Gorton and Denton by-election long list including top mayoral official". Manchester Evening News . Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  28. ↑ Crick, Michael [@tomorrowsmps] (27 January 2026). "GORTON & DENTON: I hear from one source that the shortlist for the Labour selection is confined to just two names:" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  29. ↑ "Eamonn O'Brien confirmed as one of the final two Labour candidates in the Gorton and Denton by-election". Roch Valley Radio. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  30. ↑ Hall, Charlotte (28 January 2026). "Labour down to last two candidates for Gorton and Denton by-election". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  31. ↑ Davies, Ethan (27 January 2026). "Five councillors on Labour's long list for Gorton and Denton". Roch Valley Radio. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  32. ↑ "🚨 FRIDAY: CANDIDATE ANNOUNCEMENT AND ACTION DAY 🚨". North West Green Party via ActionNetwork. January 2026. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  33. ↑ Kenyon, Megan (27 January 2026). "Who will be the Green Party candidate in Gorton and Denton?". Archived from the original on 27 January 2026.
  34. 1 2 Kenyon, Megan (25 January 2026). "Zack Polanski will not stand in Gorton and Denton". New Statesman. Archived from the original on 25 January 2026. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  35. ↑ Francis, Sam; Dawson, Bethany (23 January 2026). "Burnham down the house". POLITICO. Archived from the original on 23 January 2026. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  36. ↑ Mason, Rowena; Al-Othman, Hannah (28 January 2026). "Labour attacks Green party drugs policy in Gorton and Denton byelection". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  37. ↑ Walker, Peter; Halliday, Josh (26 January 2026). "Greens launch major push for Gorton and Denton after Burnham blocked". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  38. ↑ Kenyon, Megan (27 January 2026). "Who will be the Green Party candidate in Gorton and Denton?". New Statesman. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  39. ↑ Stavrou, Athena (27 January 2026). "Matt Goodwin unveiled as Reform UK candidate for Gorton and Denton by-election". The Independent. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  40. ↑ Stavrou, Athena (27 January 2026). "Matt Goodwin unveiled as Reform UK candidate for Gorton and Denton by-election". The Independent. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  41. ↑ Williams, Tom (8 August 2024). "Matthew Goodwin 'still an academic' despite leaving Kent role". Times Higher Education. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024.
  42. ↑ "Academic Matt Goodwin unveiled as Reform UK's by-election candidate". BBC News. 27 January 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  43. ↑ Halliday, Josh (27 January 2026). "Reform byelection candidate refuses to disown claim that people born in UK not necessarily British". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  44. ↑ Williams, Jennifer (27 January 2026). "Reform UK picks Matt Goodwin for Gorton and Denton by-election". Archived from the original on 27 January 2026.
  45. ↑ Kenyon, Megan (25 January 2026). "Andy Burnham blocked from standing in Gorton and Denton". New Statesman . Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  46. 1 2 Mullen, Tom (27 January 2026). "Workers Party of Britain to choose from four for by-election". BBC News. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  47. ↑ Workers Party of Britain (28 January 2026). "PARTY STATEMENT". Twitter.
  48. ↑ Mason, Rowena; Halliday, Josh; Topping, Alexandra (23 January 2026). "Starmer faces pressure not to block Andy Burnham's return to parliament". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  49. ↑ Halliday, Josh (23 January 2026). "Can Andy Burnham calm the anger in a Manchester seat Labour fears losing?". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  50. ↑ Crace, John (27 January 2026). "Reform's Matt Goodwin is sure he's the right man for Gorton and Denton. He just doesn't know why…". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  51. ↑ Burke, Dave (27 January 2026). "Reform MP Lee Anderson mocked by Angela Rayner over major by-election blunder". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  52. ↑ "People have spotted something very wrong with Lee Anderson's by-election photo". Metro. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  53. ↑ Nanabawa, Abubakr (26 January 2026). "Gorton and Denton: It's time to unite around the Greens to defeat Labour and Reform". 5Pillars . Retrieved 27 January 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  54. ↑ Rodgers, Sienna (27 January 2026). "Greens Frame By-Election As Battle Against 'Anti-Muslim Record' Of Reform's Matthew Goodwin". Politics Home. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  55. ↑ Kenyon, Megan (27 January 2026). "Who will be the Green Party candidate in Gorton and Denton?". New Statesman. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  56. ↑ Schofield, Kevin (28 January 2026). "Green Party Mocked Over Embarrassing By-Election Campaign Poster Gaffe". HuffPost UK. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  57. ↑ Walker, James (28 January 2026). "Reform UK report Labour to police over video of by-election candidate Matt Goodwin". The National. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  58. ↑ Hymas, Charles (28 January 2026). "Reform reports Labour to police over 'misleading' video". The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  59. ↑ "Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll for Gorton and Denton" (PDF). Manchester Council. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  60. ↑ "Election 24: Gorton and Denton results". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  61. ↑ "Election results – Parliamentary general election 2024". manchester.gov.uk. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
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