Andy Burnham has key message for voters in Gorton and Denton by-election
The Greater Manchester Mayor joined Labour candidate Angeliki Stogia for tour of the constituency ahead of the polls closing, urging people to reject the ‘division’ of Reform
Andy Burnham, Labour candidate Angeliki Stogia and Deputy Leader Lucy Powell(Image: Getty Images)
Andy Burnham launched a last minute plea for people in Gorton and Denton to vote Labour – and reject the “division” of Reform.
The Greater Manchester Mayor joined candidate Angeliki Stogia for a polling day tour of the constituency urging people to get out and vote for her. In the Thursday afternoon Manchester rain they climbed on board the party’s battle bus – joined by party deputy leader Lucy Powell – outside the giant Tesco store in Gorton.
Asked who their main opponent is, Mr Burnham said: ‘Reform, as we’ve said that all along. You know, Greater Manchester is based on partnership and unity, as Angeliki has said. You want to see unity, and not let division into Greater Manchester and that message has really got through in this byelection.”
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Polls opened this morning in what is seen as a tightly contested three way battle between Labour, Reform and the Greens.
Green party leader Zack Polanski said his party was “neck and neck” with Reform UK to overturn Labour’s 13,000-vote majority, and that Labour will need to “search their conscience” if Reform UK wins.
Keir Starmer has said only Labour can see off Nigel Farage’s Reform, saying that a vote for the Greens was “in effect, a vote for Reform”.
Labour candidate Ms Stogia remained bullish, saying: “We’ve got more than 1,000 volunteers out, as we speak. We’re expecting more people to join us, later on, people are enthused with the campaign, and we are going to carry on knocking, and, you know, we’ve got the blessings of the Manchester rain!”
Asked if he was disappointed that he was blocked from standing, Mr Burnham said: “No we have a brilliant candidate and she hasn’t put a foot wrong, she’s been out every day, she’s done us proud.”
Ms Powell added: “We’ve got one team here and Angeliki has been right in the middle of that.”
Victory would buy Mr Starmer some breathing space after a period in which his leadership of Labour has been questioned. Defeat is likely to pile the pressure back on, with some suggesting a third-placed finish in a previously safe part of Greater Manchester could spell the end for the Prime Minister.
The PM has said: “The choice at today’s by-election could not be more stark. Unity or division. Driving down the cost of living with Labour or driving a wedge between communities under Reform. Moving forwards together, or opening up anger and division that holds our country back.
“Reform’s Matthew Goodwin thinks people who aren’t white can’t be English and wants women who choose not to have children to pay more tax. Vote Labour in Gorton and Denton today to send him and his toxic politics packing.”
GR News presenter Matt Goodwin – who has faced criticism for his comments on women, Muslims and British citizenship – is standing for Reform UK while Hannah Spencer, a Trafford councillor and plumber by trade, is the Green party candidate.
