KEVIN MAGUIRE: ‘This is a get up name for Labour – both they alter or the Greens develop’
Kevin Maguire reacts to Labour’s crushing defeat in the Gorton and Denton by-election after the Greens overturned the party’s massive majority in the Greater Manchester seat
Keir Starmer at a rally for campaigners in Gorton and Denton earlier this week(Image: Getty Images)
British politics will never be the same again after the Greens’ seismic victory in a historic UK Parliamentary byelection.
The insurgent party, these days more red than environmental under former Lib Dem actor Zack Polanski, outflanked Labour on the Left in Gorton and Denton, preaching eco socialism to capture a once impregnable fortress. And the Prime Minister owns his party’s disappointing third place behind them and Reform – more on them in a mo – because Keir Starmer blocked popular Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from standing because he wanted his job as PM not just be an MP.
Labour’s soul searching won’t be pretty yet is absolutely necessary when the post-mortem must conclude that governing full-throated as social justice warriors rather than timidly is the answer. We heard the unmistakable sound of another nail hammered into Starmer’s political coffin, numerous unforced errors denying the PM a hearing from electors who’ve decided they don’t like him.
“This result must be a wake up call. It’s time to really listen and to reflect,” concluded Angela Rayner. The alarm is ringing loudly. Ignoring it would be Labour inviting destruction.
READ MORE: Gorton and Denton by-election LIVE: Angela Rayner reacts to crushing Labour defeat
Also decisively rejected were Tory tribute act Nigel Farage and a Reform UK whose bandwagon hasn’t only stopped but is rolling backwards nationally in the polls as an increasingly scrutinised Hard Right repels decent folk. The combined Labour and Greens progressive total was double that of the authoritarian nationalists, Left trouncing Right, and the Greens undoubtedly benefited(and Labour suffered) from tactical voting to keep out Reform.
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Gorton and Denton preferring hope over hate was uplifting and let’s not fall for odious Donald Trump bad loser stolen election smears. I usually go into the polling station with my partner. When my adult kids lived at home, they came along too. Nobody complained about “family voting” by us. Perhaps it’s because we’re White skinned and not Muslims.
What about the Conservatives? Totally irrelevant, losing their deposit. Kemi Badenoch’s improved her game but her party’s eclipsed on the Right by Reform and isn’t at the races. Memories of 14 years of austerity, chaos and failure are unwiped. The Greens could arguably be shooting stars, shining brightly at the mo then destined to burn out. George Galloway’s victories at the head of Left-wing parties in Bethnal Green, Bradford West and Rochdale proved short-lived.
This feels different in an age when allegiances to Labour and the Conservatives are fraying rapidly. Labour with a radically fresh approach under a more charismatic new leader could rise again, recovery possible if MPs and Ministers show the bottle to do what’s required.
That’s another reason British politics will never be the same again. Labour changes for the better or the Greens grow. Maybe both happen. Reform? Farage prematurely measured the curtains in No 10.
