The Conservative Party has announced its candidate for the forthcoming Gorton and Denton parliamentary by-election in Greater Manchester, selecting retired police detective Charlotte Cadden to contest the seat.
Cadden's Background and Campaign Pledges
Charlotte Cadden brings three decades of policing experience to her candidacy, having served with both Greater Manchester Police and the Metropolitan Police before retiring as a deputy chief inspector in 2025. During her distinguished career, she established and chaired the police sex equality and equity network, an initiative designed to combat workplace discrimination based on sex.
In her campaign announcement, Ms Cadden positioned herself as a direct advocate for the constituency, stating: "Gorton and Denton has been let down for too long by Labour. From their record tax rises, ideological crusades, and failures to control our borders, residents in this constituency are facing the consequences – and that must end."
She further committed to "fight to be a no-nonsense champion of this great constituency, and work to deliver on the priorities of local people." Beyond her policing career, Cadden serves as a trustee of Sex Matters, a charity that advocates for gender-critical perspectives and single-sex spaces, and has been actively involved in Conservative politics in Bolton.
Conservative Party Endorsement
Kevin Hollinrake, chairman of the Conservative Party, offered strong support for the candidate, highlighting her advocacy work. "Charlotte has been a fierce campaigner on grooming gangs and single-sex spaces and her campaign will give her the opportunity to stand up for vulnerable girls, plain and simple," he said.
Hollinrake added: "For too long, people looked the other way when they should have acted. She's saying what needs saying and she'll stand up for victims, push for the truth, and make sure lessons are learned. That's the sort of straight-talking leadership we need."
Full Slate of Candidates Emerges
The by-election, triggered by the resignation of former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne due to health reasons, has attracted candidates from all major parties. Labour has selected Angeliki Stogia, a Manchester city councillor for Whalley Range, as their candidate.
The Green Party candidate is Hannah Spencer, a 34-year-old plumber and councillor, while Reform UK has chosen GB News presenter and former academic Matt Goodwin. The Liberal Democrats will be represented by prominent local campaigner Jackie Pearcey.
Political Context and Electoral History
At the last general election, Labour secured the Gorton seat with a substantial majority, capturing more than half the vote with 18,555 ballots. Reform UK finished second with 5,142 votes, narrowly ahead of the Green Party's 4,810 votes.
However, political analysts suggest that shifting public opinion since 2024, including the declining national popularity of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, could influence voter behaviour in this by-election, potentially creating a more competitive contest than previous results might indicate.
Green Party Leader's Decision
In a related development, Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who was born and raised in Salford, Greater Manchester, explained his decision not to stand in the by-election during an appearance on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme. "I live in London," Polanski stated. "I'm a Mancunian. I've been in London for about 20 years, and the Green Party really believes in nurturing local talent and really lifting up someone from the community."
He further clarified his position: "When a seat comes up in London, I'll absolutely be going for it." This statement underscores the Green Party's commitment to fielding candidates with strong local connections in their respective constituencies.
