Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision to block Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from running in the Gorton and Denton by-election has created significant internal party conflict, with former shadow chancellor John McDonnell warning it will hasten Starmer's demise. The political infighting has created an opening for Reform UK, with bookmakers now making Nigel Farage's party and the Green Party favorites to win the February 26 by-election, while Labour trails in third place. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch faces pressure to form an alliance with Reform UK to unite the right-wing vote, as the Conservative candidate received only eight percent of the vote in the constituency in 2024.