Matt Goodwin introduced as Reform UK’s by-election candidate – Watch LIVE

Goodwin asked about Burnham

Goodwin is asked whether he is glad Andy Burnham is not running in the by-election – after he was blocked from doing so.

He responds: “Labour are clearly more interested in squabbling among themselves and actually representing and defending and working for the interests of people in the seat of Gorton”

Goodwin takes questions from the press

Goodwin is asked what his message is to Muslim voters in the constituency.

He says: “My message to everybody in this seat is if you are working hard, paying taxes, contributing to this economy, you should be as concerned by what’s happening in number ten Downing Street as I am. We have got a government under Keir Starmer that is clearly not in touch with the people in this seat. It’s not about what your religion is, it’s not about what your race is, what your ethnicity is.”

It comes after Goodwin previously described Islamophobia as “the flavour of the month amongst the elite class”, according to Hope not Hate.

Who is Matt Goodwin?

Matt Goodwin is a right-wing activist and GB News commentator.

Reform was criticised in November after Goodwin was selected to be Reform’s honorary president of the new Students4Reform organisation. Nigel Farage’s party was accused ofembrading racism after Goodwin argued that people from minority ethnic backgrounds who are born in the UK are not necessarily British.

Speaking on stage, he tells the press conference today: “I am not a career politician. I am not a Tory. I am not part of the establishment. I am not part of the Westminster Blob.”

Mr Goodwin was previously an academic.

Matt Goodwin announced as candidate

Matt Goodwin is announced as Reform’s candidate for the by-election.

Lee Anderson criticises PM for going to China

Lee Anderson chooses a bizarre attack on Keir Starmer – saying he is trying to hide from PMQs by going on a trip to China.

Mr Starmer has long planned a trip to Beijing to strengthen relations with China. But Mr Anderson says: “You can tell the signs the Prime Minister in trouble. They go abroad all the time.”

Lee Anderson opens his event

Lee Anderson – an ex-Tory MP – is opening the event.

He begins by boasting about winning his seat in the election – after many of his former Tory colleagues lost theirs – and warns that Reform are going to add to their number of MPs by winning this by-election.

He calls Keir Starmer “cowardly” and says the by-election will be a “real test” for the PM.

Reform UK to unveil candidate – after embarrassing gaffe

Lee Anderson, the MP for Ashfield, will today announce the candidate for Gorton and Denton at 2pm.

It comes after Mr Anderson was ridiculed after it emerged the Reform MP gleefully shared photos of himself campaigning in the wrong constituency.

He posted a photo of himself and activists outside a building in Angela Rayner’s Ashton-under-Lyne constituency, writing alongside: “Gorton & Denton. A cold but productive day in what will be a hotly contested seat. Reform UK fear no party. Bring it on.”

Ms Rayner told The Mirror: “Farage’s Reform can’t even find the Gorton and Denton constituency on a map. Perhaps it’s because they’re too busy filling their party full of former Tories who failed the country.”

Why is a by-election happening?

The Gorton by-election was triggered after independent MP Andrew Gwynne last week announced his resignation from Parliament on health grounds.

Mr Gwynne was sacked as a minister and had the Labour whip suspended last year after offensive WhatsApp messages emerged. He won the seat for Labour in 2024 with 51% of the vote in 2024, but it could be a tough fight for the party due to lagging poll ratings and the threat from Reform and the Greens.

The by-election will be held on February 26.