Greens Launch Aggressive Campaign for Gorton and Denton Byelection
The Green Party is preparing for a full-scale battle to secure victory in the upcoming Gorton and Denton byelection, with party officials expressing confidence that they have a genuine opportunity following the exclusion of Andy Burnham as a potential Labour candidate.
Strategic Opportunity After Burnham Blocked
Senior Green figures argue that Keir Starmer's decision to prevent the Greater Manchester mayor from standing has fundamentally altered the political landscape of the constituency. This development has provided what one party official described as a "gamechanger" moment, creating an opening that the Greens intend to exploit with significant resources and activist mobilisation.
The Greens finished third in the seat during the general election, trailing nearly 14,000 votes behind the former MP Andrew Gwynne. However, party strategists believe the dynamics have shifted substantially since that contest, with Labour's internal divisions becoming more apparent to voters.
Candidate Selection and Campaign Strategy
While the local Green Party branch will make the final decision, expectations are growing that Hannah Spencer will be selected as the candidate. Spencer, who leads the Green group on Trafford council and challenged Burnham in the 2024 Greater Manchester mayoral election, brings both political experience and local connections to the campaign.
"She used to live in the constituency and knows it well," noted one local activist. "Local people would see her as someone who would speak up for them." Spencer, who works professionally as a plumber, represents the type of grassroots candidate the Greens hope will resonate with voters.
Resource Mobilisation and Canvassing Blitz
The party plans to flood the constituency with activists in the coming weeks, with Green leader Zack Polanski scheduled to launch the canvassing campaign personally. Although Polanski, who originates from Manchester, has decided against standing himself to focus on his London political ambitions, his presence signals the national importance the party places on this contest.
The Greens intend to deploy hundreds of volunteers for door-knocking and leaflet distribution over weekends, supplemented by a dedicated crowdfunding effort to finance campaign materials including signboards and literature. This represents a substantial commitment for a party that typically operates with more limited resources than its larger rivals.
Political Calculus and Reform UK Challenge
Central to the Green strategy is the argument that they represent the only viable alternative to Reform UK in the constituency. Party officials explicitly frame the contest as "us or Reform," hoping to consolidate anti-Labour sentiment behind their banner rather than allowing it to fragment among multiple opposition parties.
One Green official pointed to the precedent set by Plaid Cymru in last October's Caerphilly byelection, where the Welsh party managed to push Labour from first to third place while simultaneously fending off a strong Reform challenge. The Greens hope to replicate this sense of momentum and strategic positioning in Gorton and Denton.
Broader Political Implications
A Green victory, or even a sufficiently strong Green performance that enables Reform UK to win the seat, would represent a significant blow to Keir Starmer's leadership. The Labour leader already faces criticism for his handling of the Burnham situation, and a poor result in what should be a safe Labour seat would intensify internal party tensions.
Meanwhile, George Galloway's decision not to stand personally for the Workers Party of Britain removes one potentially disruptive element from the contest. While his party will field local councillor Shahbaz Sarwar, who unseated Manchester City Council's deputy leader in 2024, Galloway's absence reduces the likelihood of Gaza becoming the dominant campaign issue.
The Greens acknowledge the challenge ahead but express determination to capitalise on what they perceive as Labour vulnerability and voter disillusionment. As one official summarised: "We're serious. We will be throwing a lot of resources at this, and unlike the other parties we simply can't afford to do that unless we have a chance of winning."
