Prime Minister Keir Starmer has launched a pointed critique against Reform UK's candidate selection for the forthcoming Gorton and Denton by-election, branding their approach as fostering toxic division within the community. Speaking to journalists while en route to China, Starmer framed the contest as a pivotal battle between Labour's values and what he described as Reform's divisive political tactics.
A Straight Fight Between Labour and Reform
Starmer emphasised that the by-election, scheduled for next month in this Greater Manchester constituency, represents a clear-cut confrontation. There's only one party that can stop Reform, and that's the Labour Party, he asserted, positioning Labour as the sole effective barrier against Reform UK's influence in what are traditionally Labour heartlands.
Criticism of Reform's Candidate Matthew Goodwin
The Prime Minister's comments directly targeted Reform's newly unveiled candidate, Matthew Goodwin, a former academic who now serves as a GB News presenter and is known for his hardline activist stances. Goodwin has previously expressed controversial views on British nationality and Islam, including a refusal to retract statements suggesting that UK-born individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds may not necessarily be considered British.
Starmer warned that Goodwin's candidacy signals the kind of politics Reform intends to bring to the constituency. You can see from their candidates what politics they're going to bring to that constituency, the politics of division, of toxic division and tearing people apart, he stated, contrasting this with Labour's focus on delivering practical solutions for residents.
Labour's Focus on Local Issues
According to Starmer, the by-election will centre on Labour's commitment to addressing the cost of living and building upon the party's existing record within the constituency. He argued that this stands in stark opposition to Reform's approach, which he characterised as detrimental to community cohesion. That is not what that constituency is. That's not what Manchester is about, he remarked, underscoring his belief that Reform's messaging is out of step with local values.
High Stakes and Internal Party Dynamics
The by-election carries significant weight for Starmer's leadership, particularly following internal discontent over the decision to block Andy Burnham from standing. Burnham, the current Mayor of Greater Manchester and a perceived potential leadership rival, was barred by Starmer and other senior Labour figures from resigning his mayoral post to contest the seat.
Explaining this move, Starmer cited the impracticality of triggering an unexpected mayoral by-election ahead of nationwide local elections in May. I was pretty certain that we would retain Manchester, of course, but the point is in order to retain it we’d have to put our resource, our money and our people into an election we didn’t need to have, he clarified, noting that such an effort would have diverted crucial resources from other essential campaigns.
Downplaying Rifts with Burnham
Despite the apparent friction, Starmer sought to minimise any perceived rift with Burnham, praising his performance as mayor. When questioned about the possibility of Burnham returning as an MP after his mayoral term concludes, Starmer responded diplomatically, As to what he wants to do when he's not Mayor of Manchester anymore, that's a matter for Andy, but he's doing a first class job.
This by-election is viewed as a critical test for Labour's ability to fend off Reform UK's incursion into its traditional strongholds, with the Greens also positioning themselves as an alternative to counter Reform's influence. The outcome will likely have broader implications for the political landscape in Greater Manchester and beyond.
