Labour Infighting Opens Path for Reform UK in Gorton and Denton By-Election

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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.

First seen Jan 26, 2026
Last updated Jan 26, 2026
Event date Feb 26, 2026
Articles 5
Geographic scope national
#1 Keir Starmer blocked Andy Burnham from running in the Gorton and Denton by-election.
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Supporting Evidence (3 sources):

#2 Reform UK is positioned to potentially win the Gorton and Denton by-election against the Green Party.
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#3 Suella Braverman defected to Reform UK as a Tory MP.
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#4 The Conservative Party received only eight percent of the vote in Gorton and Denton in 2024.
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#5 Zack Polanski was exposed by The Sun for claiming to enlarge women's breasts by gazing at them.
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#6 Leading Conservatives insist a deal with Reform is inevitable and desirable to guarantee right-wing victory.
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#7 Sir Keir Starmer has driven the economy into a ditch.
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#8 Shabana Mahmood promised a new model of policing amid collapse in public confidence.
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#9 A thousand boozers face shutdown this year.
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#10 The Revolution chain of bars called in administrators yesterday to stave off closure of 62 venues.
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#11 The pub and booze trade employs a million staff.
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#12 The pub and booze trade pays £18billion to the Treasury.
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#13 The Labour Party National Executive Committee scheduled the Gorton and Denton by-election for February 26, the earliest possible date.
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#14 Coral bookmakers have Reform and Greens as favorites to win the Gorton and Denton seat, with Labour in third place.
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#15 Andrew Gwynne won the Gorton and Denton seat with a 13,413 majority in 2024.
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#16 Andy Burnham would likely have won the Gorton and Denton by-election if allowed to stand.
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#17 John McDonnell warned Keir Starmer that blocking Burnham would hasten his demise.
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#18 Andy Burnham planned to step down as mayor and fight the parliamentary seat after MP Andrew Gwynne quit on health grounds.
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#19 The Labour Party won more than 50 per cent of the vote in the 2024 general election in the constituency.
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#20 Labour's National Executive Committee blocked Andy Burnham's move to stand in the by-election on Sunday at Starmer's direction.
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#21 Burnage voters report widespread support for Reform UK following the Labour internal conflict.
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